When a Fox News anchor declared that both Jesus and Santa Claus are white, it sparked a conversation that needed to happen. On The Deen Show, former Christian and Irishman John Fontaine joined host Eddie to set the record straight using historical evidence, forensic science, and the teachings of Islam about Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him).
The Historical Truth About Saint Nicholas
The modern Santa Claus figure is based on Saint Nicholas, a Christian bishop who lived in the region we now know as Turkey. Forensic scientists, in research originally commissioned by the Vatican, reconstructed his likely appearance and confirmed he was a Mediterranean man with darker skin. John Fontaine, who grew up believing in Father Christmas in England, shared how he once thought Santa was racist because his Pakistani and African classmates never received gifts during the holidays.
“It’s fictional. You can make him any color you want because he’s fake. But the real Saint Nicholas was from a part of the world that is now Turkey, and he certainly wouldn’t have been white.”
What Islam Teaches About Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him)
Islam honors Jesus (Isa, peace be upon him) as one of the mightiest messengers of Allah. Unlike the distorted portrayals in popular culture, Islam teaches that Jesus never claimed to be God or the literal son of God. He was a prophet who called people to worship the One true Creator. The Quran preserves his authentic message, free from the alterations and cultural additions that crept into Christianity over the centuries.
“If you were lied to once about Santa Claus, you can be lied to twice. But Islam sets it straight and gives you the evidence and the proof so you can submit knowing that this is the way of life from the Creator.”
- Saint Nicholas participated in the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, the very council that voted on the divinity of Jesus, showing how human decisions shaped Christian doctrine
- Islam teaches that the first person to embrace the Prophet Muhammad’s message was a woman (Khadijah), and the greatest scholar in Islamic history was also a woman (Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her)
- Parents should be cautious about letting children sit on strangers’ laps in today’s society, even in festive settings
- Seeking truth requires going beyond blindly following the customs and cultures of previous generations
