Turkey's Muslims Celebrate A Secular Christmas

The McClatchey Newspapers today carry an interesting story on how Christmas has caught on in Turkey, a country that is officially secular but whose population is 99% Muslim. Around the country trees are trimmed, children await presents from Father Christmas (Santa Claus), and shopping malls are filled with blinking lights. However, despite angels and stars as part of the decorations, Christmas has no religious significance in the country. Another difference-- belly dancers are also a Christmas tradition. In Turkey, Christmas is celebrated on December 31-- half way between the December 25 date used by Western Christianity and the January 7 date used by Eastern Orthodox Christians.