It is perfectly permissible to accept a gift from a non-Muslim, regardless of the intention of the person giving it. It is also permissible to accept gifts from them on their festive occasions, unless these include something forbidden such as wines or the meat of an animal dedicated at the time of its slaughter to anyone other than God. A Muslim should use such occasions to strengthen relations with non-Muslims and introduce Islam to them. This view is stated by Ibn Taymiyyah, and it is given in a fatwa by the Permanent Committee for Research and Fatwa in Saudi Arabia. It is also endorsed by the European Council for Fatwa and Research, Shaikh Abd al-Azeez ibn Baz, Shaikh Abdullah ibn Jibreen and Shaikh Salih al-Fawzan.
