Islamic Display, Nativity Scene Share Space in Mission Viejo

An Islamic holiday display sharing a patch of grass in Mission Viejo with Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus marks the first time in California that the holy month of Ramadan has received equal billing with Christmas on public space, Muslim leaders say.

The small billboard shows a photograph of the Kaaba--the central shrine of Islam in Mecca, Saudi Arabia--with a message: “Season’s Greetings.” A caption under the photo reads: “The First House of Worship on Earth.” Poinsettias and hay bales surround the exhibit.

The religious decorations are part of a three-decade tradition in Mission Viejo, where the city allows Christians, Jews--and now Muslims--to put up holiday images each December at the corner of La Paz Road and Chrisanta Drive, the town’s gateway.

Set up on the intersection’s other three corners are a giant menorah and dreidels for Hanukkah, a towering Christmas tree, and a Santa’s workshop that features visits from Kris Kringle.

“It’s the holy month for everybody,” said Farid El-Kasm, a director with the Orange County Islamic Foundation in Mission Viejo. “We wanted to share that.”

The push for the inclusion of the Ramadan display began around Thanksgiving when Muslim residents noticed the intersection undergoing its annual December make-over.

“During holidays, each group sets up something,” El-Kasm said. “And we thought, ‘Why not us?’ ”

Leaders of the Mission Viejo mosque met with city officials and members of the committee that oversees the holiday tradition.

“They were very cooperative, as always,” said El-Kasm, whose mosque attracts 800 worshipers during Friday prayers.

El-Kasm said the mosque plans to have volunteers out at night and on weekends, handing out information to the curious, and toys or candy to children.

Members of the Activities Committee decorate the Christmas tree and put together the Santa’s workshop. Jewish and Christian volunteers put up the other displays.

Since the four corners of the intersection already were taken, the Ramadan sign had to be squeezed in with the Nativity scene.

“We Christians and Muslims have not done so well sharing corners around the world,” said Doug Webster, senior pastor at Mountain View Church in Mission Viejo. “Maybe we can show them we can share a corner of Mission Viejo.”

Webster, who does not take a role in putting up the Christmas decorations, added that it would make an even bolder statement if the Muslims and Jews shared a corner.

Martin Cohen, a rabbi in Mission Viejo, said he wouldn’t have a problem with that. His concern is allowing religious displays of any kind on public property.

“Being an American, I believe in the separation of church and state,” said Cohen of Congregation Eilat, a Conservative synagogue. “I don’t think there should be religious symbols in any public place. However, since no one in the world seems to agree with me, my second choice would be to have everyone participate. The more the merrier.”

According to the national Council on American-Islamic Relations this is the first such Muslim display in the state. Spokesman Hussam Ayloush, with the council’s Southern California chapter, said the only other one he knows of in the nation is a large crescent near the national Christmas tree in Washington.