Topic: On Assignment
The Counter Inquisition has, through exhaustive searching comprised of scanning the New York Times' International section, discovered a potential source for religious consternation among adherents to a certain religion that has claimed a unique purity among certain sects chosen by those adherents. Phew. That's a lot harder than writing poopie-headed Al Queda.
Anyway, it turns out that Santa Claus is going cross cultural. Check this out-
From the New York Times -
Ramadan Ritual: Fast Daily, Pray, Head to the Mall
By HASSAN M. FATTAH
Published: October 12, 2005
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 7 - The decorations are hanging, the cash registers are clanging, and the air of holiday cheer is everywhere. For a holy month, Ramadan is not what it used to be.
Once an ascetic month of fasting, prayer and reflection on God, Ramadan has gradually taken on the commercial trappings of Christmas and Hanukkah, from the hanging lights that festoon windows to the Ramadan greeting cards and Ramadan sales and advertising campaigns that have become the backbone of commerce for the month.
Marketers and businesses have caught on to the potential of 1.3 billion people at home fasting or breaking their daily fasts and getting back to normal life, a captive audience eager for entertainment and celebration, and more than willing to feast when the sun goes down.
Here in Dubai, the region's supermall, commercialism has taken on a life of its own as almost everything has been dressed in the cloak of Ramadan, from consumer goods to cars. Malls are open till the early morning, and the nights rock away at dinner parties in desert tents.Read the full story
So much for the holier than thou crap. A chill wind is blowing (don't you just hate that cliche?) across the desert of the Holy. Ok, so camels are pulling the sleigh, what's the difference?
This just in: Al Jazeera reports that dozens of people were seen in the mall.
Here's tinsel in your eye, Osama. Want a candy cane?
