In Rome, do as the Romans do": these Moroccans who celebrate Christmas in France

For Khadija, who is based in Bastia, the Christmas Eve dinner has become an essential tradition. In her apartment, everything is there: garlands, baubles and even the star-shaped topper. This Moroccan woman, who grew up in the village of Antisanti, associates this period with kindness and sharing with the neighborhood. Today, she perpetuates this ritual with her sister and nephews, exchanging gifts around a convivial meal. A habit passed on to her student son, who has also decorated his room, reports Corse Matin.

While theologically Christmas is not part of Islam, the social dimension of the celebration prevails for many. Fatiha, who arrived in Corsica at the age of two, has been celebrating December 25th for decades. Her primary motivation? Her children. "I put up the Christmas tree so that they don’t feel left out," explains the sexagenarian, who claims a desire for assimilation: "I believe that when you live in a country, you have to integrate."

The mixing of families also fosters this openness. This is the case of Kamel, 32 years old, in a relationship with a Catholic woman from Bastia. For this adopted Corsican, sharing the Christmas Eve dinner and the nativity scene with his in-laws is a matter of common sense. He readily cites the adage "In Rome, do as the Romans do" to justify his natural participation in local customs, illustrating a peaceful integration within the estimated 42,000 Muslims on the island.