Somali government bans Christmas and New Year celebrations

(Baonghean.vn) - On December 23, the Somali government banned its people from celebrating Christmas and New Year in the country where the majority of people are Muslim.

According to the government's explanation, the ban was imposed due to concerns that celebrating Christmas and New Year could provoke attacks by the extremist Islamic group Shabab.

The Shebab Islamist group controls a large area in southern and central Somalia. Photo: AP

“All events related to Christmas and New Year celebrations are against Islamic culture and can undermine the faith of the Muslim community,” said Mohamed Khayrow, head of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

According to Mr Khayrow, “there is no need to organise any activities” for Christmas or New Year and security forces have also been ordered to prevent any such celebrations.

Sheikha Nur Barud Gurhan of Somalia's Supreme Religious Council said non-Islamic celebrations could anger the Shabab, a terrorist group linked to Al-Qaeda, and "carry out attacks".

However, Mr. Gurhan also noted that the government's ban on Christmas and New Year celebrations has absolutely nothing to do with Somalia's religious principles.

The Shabab attacked Mogadishu airport on Christmas Day 2014, killing 12 people. The Shabab took over Mogadishu in mid-2011 and still control large areas of southern and central Somalia. They also carry out guerrilla attacks and suicide bombings against government-held areas in the Somali capital and elsewhere.

Somalia is now the second Muslim country to ban Christmas celebrations after Brunei issued a similar order. During Christmas 2013, the Somali government also banned Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Of course, although the government bans Somalis, it does allow foreign diplomats, aid workers and soldiers to hold private celebrations.

Chu Thanh

(According to Le Monde)