Do Muslims Celebrate Thanksgiving? A Christian’s Simple Guide to Welcoming Muslim Friends
Most Christians are surprised to hear that many of their Muslim friends and neighbors are excited for the holiday season! In fact, if a Muslim has lived in the United States for a while or they grew up here, they likely will host or attend Thanksgiving gatherings. Some also enjoy Christmas traditions as part of American culture.
If your Muslim friend is a new immigrant or an international student, they may not be as excited simply because they don’t know a lot about it. As they see the joy and excitement that surrounds the holidays in America, they will be eager to learn more, so do not hesitate to invite them into your festivities!
Do Muslims Celebrate Thanksgiving?
When it comes to Thanksgiving, most Muslims do not know the history of the holiday, but they do love the sentiment of coming together with loved ones and expressing gratitude.
They appreciate the religious freedom that living in the United States grants them.
If they have children, their kids will bring home more knowledge about the Thanksgiving holiday and traditions from school and pass it on to their parents.
Halal Thanksgiving Food: What to Serve Your Muslim Guests
One thing to keep in mind during the holiday season is your Muslim friend’s religious dietary restrictions, called “halal”. Halal simply means “permitted by Allah,” and there are also “haram” foods, which means “forbidden.”
Haram Foods to Avoid
Alcohol
Shellfish
Pork products (don’t forget this also includes lard and gelatin!)
So if you invite your Muslim friend over for a party, make sure you have halal foods for them. Some Muslims are more strict than others, so get to know your Muslim friend and act accordingly.
Halal Thanksgiving Menu Checklist
Use this simple checklist as you plan your meal:
Turkey: Serve halal turkey, or offer a vegetarian main dish. Halal also covers how the meat is prepared, not just avoiding pork.
Stuffing: Check the ingredients for bacon, sausage, or pork broth.
Gravy: Look for pork drippings or alcohol-based ingredients.
Pie crust: Some crusts are made with lard, so check the label or make your own with butter.
Desserts: Watch for gelatin and hidden alcohol in cooking wine and some extracts, like vanilla.
Drinks: Offer non-alcoholic options like sparkling cider, hot tea, and water.
Ask your guest: The easiest way to be sure is to kindly ask your friend what they need.
Thanksgiving Dishes Muslims Love to Try
Your Muslim friend will love trying your holiday dishes and experiencing new foods once they know they are safe for them to eat. Muslim families often cook these dishes differently at home, but they usually enjoy trying new styles. We have seen pumpkin pie and sweet potato dishes usually become a new favorite for a Muslim family.
How to Invite Your Muslim Friend to Thanksgiving
Inviting your Muslim friend to enjoy this holiday with you doesn’t have to be a big deal unless you want it to be! Your invitation could be:
A simple text message
A nice card telling them you’d love to have them over for dessert or for a Thanksgiving meal
A phone call, so they hear your sincerity and are encouraged to join
Make Sure They Feel Included Invite your Muslim friend to bring a dish with them and tell them how excited you and your family are to try a new dish! This will make them feel more included if they can add to the experience and put them at ease while being in a new environment!
How to Be Intentional When Your Muslim Friend is at Your Thanksgiving Table
There are certain things you should know and do while your Muslim friend shares this holiday with you! Here are the most important things for you to remember:
Pray in Front of Them– Don’t be afraid to pray before the meal. Let them see the personal way we can speak to our heavenly Father. As you pray, specifically thank God for them! (You should pray in Jesus’ Name, which can open a door to why you do that!)
Share the Gospel Naturally– When going around the table saying what you’re thankful for, take the opportunity to share the Gospel. How can you do this naturally? As Christians, the biggest thing we are thankful for is eternal life through Jesus, so make sure you express gratitude for His unconditional love and grace and the ability to be in relationship with Him! (Romans 6:23)
Prepare Your Kids– It is always good to have your children be aware of the different beliefs of your holiday guests! They may be curious about why the women are wearing hijabs or why their friends aren’t eating the same things as them. Prepare them ahead of time on how to ask respectful questions and explain what your friends believe and how it differs from your family’s beliefs.
Be Authentic– Don’t hit them over the head with the Bible. Be real and share your true relationship with God, but also, have fun with them! Play games and enjoy watching the Thanksgiving Day parades together. You could even invite them to decorate your Christmas tree with you if this is a Thanksgiving tradition of yours!
Help Them Feel Comfortable– Some Muslims do not shake hands with the opposite gender. This is a sign of respect, not rudeness, so please don’t take offense! A warm smile and a friendly “I’m so glad you’re here!” goes a long way.
Thanksgiving Conversation Starters for Your Table
Good questions help your Muslim friend feel known and valued, and they can open the door to deeper conversations. Try a few of these:
What is your favorite holiday or celebration from your family’s culture?
What foods did your family make for special occasions growing up?
What traditions from home do you miss, or still keep here?
What is one thing you are thankful for this year?
What was the first thing that surprised you about American holidays?
Would you like to share a favorite family recipe with us?
Pray and Surrender Your Thanksgiving to God
This year, pray and surrender your Thanksgiving to God. Ask the Lord to use this holiday to reveal the truth about Jesus to your Muslim friend. We are praying for you and your family this holiday season, and as always, please email us at info@calloflove.org for any questions or support!
“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14
