Title: Participation in Halloween Parties Question: Is it wrong to allow our children to participate in Halloween activities, i.e., dress in costumes for school events, trick or treating, etc. I realize this is an American holiday, but it is a question many of the Muslim mothers in America face. I hope you will take the time to answer it thoroughly. I enjoy your site very much. Ayesha Khan USA Answer: Halloween is generally considered to be a festival of a European origin. With the immigration of Europeans to the American continent, their customs were naturally imported into the continent. Halloween is, in fact, a new year's celebration of Irish origin, which has now taken the shape of a cultural festival in most of the Western world. A Muslim is not prohibited to take part in any socio-cultural festivities as long as these celebrations do not inherently entail anything which is clearly against the beliefs propounded by Islam nor do they entail any activity which is against the directives or the spirit of the Shari`ah . Keeping the foregoing principle in perspective, it is for the Muslims living in the American society, who are naturally more aware of the nature of these celebrations than I am, to decide whether or not they should allow their children to participate in such gatherings. Thank you for your encouraging remarks on our efforts. May the Almighty guide us all to the path of His liking. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad October 6, 2002