Dec 24, 2015 – USA Today

Thank the Lord for the USA, where people are still free to worship as they choose.  Not so in Somalia, or Brunei, for that matter.  According to a report from USA Today, Somalia has “banned Christmas”!  Here are some key points from the story:

Sheikh Mohamed Khayrow, director general of the religious affairs ministry, said on Tuesday to reporters that Christmas and New Year celebrations “could damage the faith of the Muslim community,” AFP reports. Security units have been given the order to break up any festivities related to the holidays.

“Christmas will not be celebrated in Somalia for two reasons; all Somalis are Muslims and there is no Christian community here. The other reason is for security,” Abdifatah Halane, spokesman for Mogadishu mayor, told Reuters. “Christmas is for Christians. Not for Muslims.”

The government of Brunei announced a similar ban on Christmas earlier this December, threatening five years in jail for violations, according to Al Jazeera. Imams in Brunei said that using religious symbols like crosses or singing religious songs are against Islamic faith, Al Jazeera reports.

Sad, but true. To get the full report, go to http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/12/24/somalia-bans-christmas-new-year-celebrations/77874208/