Brunei, Somalia ban Christmas celebrations

December 24, 2015

In recent days, the governments of two predominantly Muslim nations have warned their citizens not to celebrate Christmas, according to a report published by the Qatar-based Al Jazeera broadcasting agency

“All events related to Christmas and New Year celebrations are contrary to Islamic culture, which could damage the faith of the Muslim community,” said the director general of Somalia's religious affairs ministry.

Brunei’s non-Muslims are permitted to organize their own Christmas celebrations but are forbidden to disclose them to Muslims, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. Muslims who send Christmas greetings, use Christmas trees or lights, or otherwise take part in Christmas celebrations face up to five years in prison.

Brunei, a Southeast Asian nation of 416,000, is 79% Muslim, 9% Christian, and 8% Buddhist. There are three Catholic parishes and only 1,900 Catholics.

Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa, is nearly 100% Sunni Muslim. There are 100 Catholics and one parish in the nation of 10.4 million.

 

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Further information:

• Somalia and Brunei ban Christmas celebrations (Al Jazeera)
• Brunei bans Christmas celebrations in public, including wearing Santa hats (The Sydney Morning Herald)