Hi there! I have a similar question: my friend recently went to Morocco, and when she came back she gave me a hamsa that she bought there as a gift. (She and I are both white, non-spiritual atheists; her parents are not religious, my mother is Jewish.) I know that it's inappropriate for me to have it-- my question is, what do I do with it? It seems disrespectful to throw it away, and it seems inappropriate to keep it. It's currently sitting quietly on my desk. What should I do with it? Thanks!
The hamsa is actually a Jewish symbol as well, so if your friend was giving it to you out of religious significance, even though she's not from the culture, she bought it because of yr Jewish heritage?
If that's not the case, and it holds no spiritual or cultural significance for you (as you said you are a non-spiritual atheist), the best thing to do would be to give it to someone who you know has ties to the object (as it's not a cheap American knock off). If it was just a gross trendy piece of shit from Urban Outfitters or whathaveyou, tossing it would be your best bet.