The Fox News manufactured war on Christmas is partly to blame for the gift buying frenzy that so many Americans go thru at this time of year. I'm reminded of the Jewish family that before leaving on their winter vacation in the Caribbean on Christmas morning at their store they surveyed empty shelves, held hands and sang "What a friend we have in Jesus."
I used to think it would be a smart marketing ploy to manufacture something in mid-summer that would set off another buying frenzy like Christmas. Then I woke up to the fact that it already exists for 1.6 billion people that make up the majority in over 50 countries and 23% of the world's total population. Toward the end of Ramadan, Muslims make a donation to the poor of actual food so everyone can have an Eid feast. The feast of Eid al-Fitr falls for several years in mid-summer. It's celebrated by a gathering in the morning of the first day for a sermon and a community prayer. After the prayer, people go home to give gifts, especially to children & reconnect with old friends and distant relatives. School is out for three days and it's a National three day holiday. If a retailer can't make a summer profit from 1.6 billion people with kids, he needs to find a new line. The British call it the Ramadan rush and make many millions of pounds sterling. There are estimated any where from 2 to 7 million Muslims in America. Our Islamaphobia and stupidity prevents marketing to them although nearly all are loyal Americans. If only America had a brain smarter than Donald Trump.
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