Nick Noorani Website

Ontario Judge Cohen decreed that the Christmas tree must be removed from the courthouse because it represented a religion. I always thought that the tree was not just a symbol of faith, but a coming together of families to spend much deserved time together after a year of hard work. It represented to me good spirit, joy and giving. As a Muslim, these are not alien thoughts to my religion and are not certainly the prerogative of one faith! And many people believe that the origins of the decorated tree likely dates to pre-Christian pagan cultures in Europe.

We lived in Mumbai, India, Muscat, Oman, Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and now in Vancouver, Canada. I cannot remember a time growing up without a Christmas celebration. In fact in the last two residencies, both of which were Islamic countries, there were no restrictions on celebrating religious holidays, be they Holi and Diwali from India, Christmas or Easter or Eid. Yes, the official holidays were Eid and were celebrated with great gusto by all faiths.
Judge Cohen has in one incomprehensible move, made the entire non-Christian population of Canada responsible for this act. We immigrants bring in traditions to this country and encourage our newly found friends to celebrate these religions along with us. In one fell swoop, we have now been made the “grinches” who stole the Christmas tree from town hall! Gee thanks Judge Cohen!
In its march towards embracing diversity, Canadians takes pleasure in joining immigrants in celebrating Chinese New Year, Baisakhi, Caribbean days and many more such festivals. So why can’t we join in on the Christmas celebrations that are so intrinsic to Canada’s history and culture?
As Canada struggles at times with its political correctness, sometimes it does trip and fall. And then it seems we take four steps back for every two steps forward. Last summer, the City of Vancouver, in honour of a visiting dignitary, instructed visible minorities working in the back office to move to the front to demonstrate (totally unnecessarily I may add) its commitment to diversity. Mayor Sullivan swiftly moved to correct this well-intentioned error, but what it did reveal is that in today’s day and age, perhaps more than political correctness, we need common-sense training. Perhaps then judges will not make assumptions on behalf of minorities without asking them whether they like being called the Grinch!