Strangely, Christmas trees have sprung up all over Kuwait. There is one in most hotels. One in my office and other offices I have seen. Fake trees, garlands and other ornaments are for sale in every store. You can even buy candy canes and those annoying, singing stuffed creatures that run on batteries. When I was walking around the Le Merdian in Abu Dhabi, I noticed a neon display of Santa and his reindeers back near a storage area. I guess the large expat community being mostly Christian (particularly all the Indians) warrants such displays. It’s nice… just incongruous.

Even more strange is all this Christmas activity happening during the next major Muslim holiday. This Sunday begins Eid Al Adha (“eid” just means holiday). This holiday runs for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days depending on whether you are in banking, in school, part of government or work for a living. Eid Al Adha commemorates Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah. Because of his obedience, Allah spared Ibrahim’s son. He then sacrificed a lamb to Allah. I am told that I will see much sacrificing of sheep and lambs along the side of the road during this holiday (though the meat is brought back to be shared with the family).

Soooo… A week of celebrating birth, blood sacrifice and eight tiny reindeer. Throw in the UFC and it’s a festival!