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Somalia and Brunei Ban Christmas Celebrations
Somalia has issued a ban on Christmas celebrations in the Muslim-majority country after the Southeast Asian sultanate of Brunei announced a similar prohibition earlier this month with the threat of five years in jail.
Sheikh Mohamed Khayrow, director general of Somalia’s religious affairs ministry, said on Tuesday that Christmas and New Year celebrations threatened the country’s Muslim faith.
“There should be no activity at all,” he told reporters, adding security forces had been ordered to break up any such festivities.
“All events related to Christmas and New Year celebrations are contrary to Islamic culture, which could damage the faith of the Muslim community.”
Sheikh Nur Barud Gurhan, of the Supreme Religious Council of Somalia, also warned against celebrations, saying they could provoke al-Shabab “to carry out attacks”.
Last year, the armed group launched a Christmas Day attack on the African Union’s heavily fortified headquarters in the capital Mogadishu, killing three AU soldiers and a civilian.
Somalia, which issued a similar ban in 2013, follows the Islamic calendar that does not recognise January 1 as the beginning of the year.
There are almost no Christians left living in the country, although a bombed-out Italian-built Catholic cathedral remains a city landmark Mogadishu.
Foreign diplomats, aid workers, and soldiers living in the AU compound are permitted to mark the day privately.
Santa hats banned
Similarly, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has also banned public celebrations of Christmas.
Religious leaders in the oil-rich sultanate warned the ban on Christmas would be strictly enforced, with violators facing up to five years in jail.
“Using religious symbols like crosses, lighting candles, putting up Christmas trees, singing religious songs, sending Christmas greetings … are against Islamic faith,” imams said in sermons published in the local press.
The government warned last year that Muslims would be committing an offence if they so much as wore “hats or clothes that resemble Santa Claus”.
Christians represent about nine percent of Brunei’s 430,000 population.
Businesses have been warned to take decorations down and authorities have stepped up spot checks across the capital. Hotels popular among Western tourists that once boasted dazzling lights and giant Christmas trees are now barren of festive decor.
Source: AFP
Posted by
Shuvan Kafuwe
December 24, 2015 at 8:56 am
Even Muslims know that Christmas is a pagan event.Manje ma Christians busy ku celebrata.
JOE
December 24, 2015 at 2:54 pm
STOP VIOLETING THE FREEDOM OF WORSHIP, WHERE IS UN?
JOE MWILA
December 24, 2015 at 2:56 pm
UN WHERE ARE U? U ONLY SHOW UP WHEN ITS ABOUT LEGALISING GAY!
President
December 24, 2015 at 4:59 pm
UN is quiet about the useless action of Somalia Government, they are full of devils worshippers . Let us continue supporting our country declaration as a Christian nation.
Kamata
December 24, 2015 at 7:08 pm
Can it be fair if we also stop muslim activities in zambia?
New Educated Zambia©❤√
December 24, 2015 at 7:11 pm
Look guys atleast they and you have a choice whether or not to use that airline. No one is forcing you to use it. However, you chaps in zambia have no choice for now but to live under the poverty of pf and infringment of human rights. SO come 2016 use that opportunity to vote upnd and win your freedoms back.
Chuundu chaitwa
December 25, 2015 at 11:15 am
This chap nez is mad. Everything its politicking who told u that if upnd wins then things we change? A fool believes in man to save them
# Vum[♡]
December 25, 2015 at 12:32 pm
We have no freedom for now, we are in mes and the UN is dem quite. let’s just ask for God’s intervention
Leadership is a serious matter
December 25, 2015 at 6:42 pm
And Somalia expects Christian majority countries to allow Muslims to commemorate their religious events in their countries? That is the problem with false religions and gods. The Almighty God does not need the “protection of mortals”. Come to think of it. If that is how the real God of Abraham we would really be in trouble. Thank God, God is greater and the message of Jesus Christ was love one another as he had loved us when he walked the earth. Our God of peace will not make us fear Muslims’ activities but allow them to grow side by side with the crop until harvest time. Praise God.
spiner87
December 25, 2015 at 9:41 pm
elo ninshi tu soma natu dominator kasumbalesa kwati mushi watuko just like in ndola. these chaps are useless, can our leaders do the same with these chaps so that they to feel what pain they have inflicted to the minority christians living there.