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Former Indian test cricketer Bobby Rao, now residing in Strabane, County Tyrone since 1980, plays a significant role on Christmas Day despite not celebrating it religiously. Born in Hyderabad and identifying as Hindu, Bobby embraces the festive season alongside his Christian wife Josephine. Their celebration includes attending midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, reflecting their mutual respect for each other’s traditions. Bobby explains, “As a Hindu, we respect all the religions, that’s how we were brought up,” adding that his friendships with Christians in India included sharing in Christmas festivities, just as they joined in his family’s Diwali celebrations.
Christmas Day for the Raos is a lively affair, hosting over two dozen guests for a traditional turkey dinner, a task Bobby takes pride in preparing himself after learning from Josephine. The day after, Boxing Day, is reserved for an Indian-style banquet, combining their cultural heritages in a shared festivity. This blend of customs highlights how diverse backgrounds can come together to create meaningful holiday experiences.
Farida Hassan, a Muslim woman originally from Sudan, is experiencing her first Christmas in Northern Ireland in Londonderry. She finds the festive period heartwarming, particularly the way it draws families and communities together. Despite not having a Christmas tree at home, she enjoys seeing the decorations in her neighborhood and exchanging seasonal greetings, remarking warmly on the friendliness of her neighbors. For Christmas Day, Farida celebrates with a Sudanese-style chicken dinner among friends, embracing relaxation rather than traditional Christmas rituals.
In the Jewish community, Hanukkah, the eight-day festival of lights, recently concluded on December 22. Michael Black, deputy chairman of the Belfast Jewish Community, reflected on the anxiety following the tragic attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach earlier in December, describing it as “a terrible atrocity.” While Jewish people do not observe Christmas as a religious festival, some embrace aspects of its cultural practice. According to a 2023 survey by the Institute of Jewish Policy Research, nearly 30% of UK Jews put up a Christmas tree at least occasionally. Michael noted that many families, especially those with mixed marriages, hold non-religious Christmas dinners and exchange presents to ensure their children do not feel excluded during the holiday season
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