Assalamu Alaykom,

    I`m an American Muslim. My family isn`t however. Understandably,  family gatherings on such days as xmas, easter, valentine`s day; etc.., are to be avoided. However, is not a day such Thanksgiving -a day when families get together annually locally and afar - a perfect occasion to keep family ties and at the same time to do Dawah? The Qur`an speaks favorably of keeping family ties. Based on that, i`m assuming that such a day can be used to introduce Islam to the Kufar. However what is your view on this?

Thanksgiving is not a religious ceremony.  It is part of the American culture.  Therefore if there is a Muslim who has a non-Muslim family and they gather during Thanksgiving holiday, there is no harm for him to participate in such a gathering. 

   As for the religious ceremonies, such as Christmas, Easter, Pass Over, a Muslim is not allowed to participate in such religious celebrations. He can, however, join his family at dinner or lunch.  And a Muslim should always remember that Allah ordered us to be good to our relatives and not to cut ties with them.