Somalia Bans Christmas, New Year Celebrations

The Somalian government has issued a ban on Christmas celebrations in the Muslim-majority country. 

 The Sheikh Mohamed Khayrow, director general of Somalia’s religious affairs ministry, said the ban was necessary because of fear Christmas celebrations could threaten the country’s faith .

Director General of Somalia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, Sheikh Mohamed Khayrow

Speaking to reporters on on Tuesday,  the DG said armed security forces have been ordered to disrupt all celebrations hence ‘there should be no activity at all’.

He said: “All events related to Christmas and New Year celebrations are contrary to Islamic culture, which could damage the faith of the Muslim community.”

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In a plea to the Christian community, Sheikh Nur Barud Gurhan, of the Supreme Religious Council of Somalia, warned that celebrations could provoke  Al-Shabab “to carry out attacks”

Back in 2013, the country also banned celebrations because the Islamic calendar that does not recognise January 1 as the beginning of the year.

Foreign diplomats, aid workers, and soldiers living in the AU compound in Somalia are however are permitted to mark the day privately.

The ban comes just days after the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah banned celebrations with the threat of five years in jail if anyone was found violating the rule.

The leader’s decision is informed by the fear that the religious holiday will affect the faith of his country.

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