Jordan creates the Muslim Santa - Abu Al Aid

Visions of sugarplums dancing in their...beheadings?

(You'd think there'd be some blowback from the Islamists about this blatantly western creation on this, wouldn't you?)

A Jordanian charity has created an Islamic Santa Claus to help poor and disadvantaged children.

The organisation believes such a character can exist without affecting the cultural identity of the Muslim world.

The project was discussed by Amal Issa from the organisation when she appeared on the Arab television station al-Arabiya on Friday.

Under the proposal, the Muslim Santa Claus, to be called Abu al Aid has Islamic characteristics and dress, and is 'big' like the western one. "We thought that our society needed a figure similar to that of Santa Claus, who can help us with the social work we do," said Issa. "We need a character who is similar to the one in the West, but one that has Arab characteristics and wears the typical dress of our region."

Abu al Aid has been registered in Jordan's ministry of culture office so that the Muslim Santa can be considered a modern figure in Jordanian culture.


"Moreover, we have decided to raise our own finance so we can buy the presents for Abu al Aid to distribute to orphan children and the poor." said Miada Qablawi, also a member of the womens group.

"To make this project official, we have created a charitable organisation, in order to bring joy to many children."

The Muslim Santa has already been used in an experimental phase, to mark the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, and for visits to orphanages and hospitals in the Jordanian capital Amman, in Zarqa and Salt.