“A LOT of people have the idea that Muslims don’t believe in Jesus,” says British Muslim Faz Patel. “But he’s a very important prophet in the Islamic faith.

“We do believe that he was born in Bethlehem, we believe that Mary was his mother, and we believe in the virgin birth.

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“We don’t believe that Jesus was a god, but he was one of the most important, greatest prophets in the Islamic faith.”

Faz will be speaking at a carol concert in Pendle in the run-up to Christmas, where he will tell the story of Jesus’ birth from a Muslim perspective.

He said: “It breaks down a lot of barriers – by engaging with each other we can build a very strong society.

“Society is becoming more understanding of each other.”

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Faz says that because of Jesus’ importance in the Islamic faith, some Muslims are happy to mark the day in their own way, while others will take the opportunity to spend the time with family, or visit Christian friends.

Faz will be eating a Christmas dinner with Christian friends in Foulridge – who have even managed to source a halal turkey.

“I’ll also be going for a walk with an elderly friend who lives alone,” he said.

“And I’ve been making hampers for friends and elderly people that I know all across East Lancashire.”

Faz says many British Muslims try to do good in their community over Christmas – many have time off work, and as it is not such an important time for them, they devote the day to others.

“It’s not only myself,” said Faz.

“A lot of British Muslims will be doing a lot of things across the country, giving out things, engaging with Christian friends.

“It’s important that I reach out to Christian colleagues at this time of year.

“It’s a time for us to spend with family, but also with people who are alone, it can make a big difference to their Christmas.

“Every family is different, but for myself, being a proud Blackburnian, I like to fly the flag, and show what we can do.”

And Faz hit out at claims Muslims want to “ban” Christmas celebrations.

“People shouldn’t be afraid of putting Christmas trees or Christmas decorations up,” he said.

He adds that one of his Muslim friends has a tree in her own house, and he has a window sill full of cards.

“Nobody should have a problem with it,” he said, “political correctness has gone mad.

He said: “It’s absolutely rubbish, it’s all made up.

“No Muslims want to ban Christmas.

“People shouldn’t be afraid to discuss it with colleagues of the Muslim faith.

“As a Muslim I’m attending a carol service, I send Christmas cards, some Muslims take part in pantomimes.

“It’s important to make it clear that we don’t have a problem.

“I just want to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas."

*This story was originally published by the Lancashire Telegraph in 2014