Many
have expressed shock and disgust at the recent ban imposed on Christmas
as some insists it denies Muslims the joy and happiness of celebrating
and relaxing with loved ones.
Sultan of Brunei, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
The Sultan of Brunei, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, has officially banned
Christmas - warning anyone caught celebrating could face five years in
jail as he said Christmas celebrations could lead its Muslim population
astray.
"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 Ministry of Religious Affairs said in a statement: "These
enforcement measures are ... intended to control the act of celebrating
Christmas excessively and openly, which could damage the aqidah
(beliefs) of the Muslim community."
The Asian island of Borneo has a population of about 420,000 people
living in Brunei, Christians represent only about nine percent. Sultan
Hassanal Bolkiah , 67, who has ruled the former British colony for
nearly 50 years, first introduced the ban on Christmas in 2014.
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". Across
the country businesses have been ordered to take down decorations and
authorities are conducting spot checks in the capital Bandar Seri
Begawan.
Wearing a santa claus dress or cap celebrating could earn you time in jail
Hotels popular among Western tourists that once boasted dazzling
lights and giant Christmas trees are empty of any festive decor. Under
new laws, based on Islamic sharia, the punishment for celebrating
Christmas is a fine of $20,000 or up to five years in prison, or both.
The hardline Christmas ban has led to a revolt on social media with
people daring to show their Christmas celebrations using the hashtag
#MyTreedom, a global campaign to highlight oppression.
One Muslim woman living in Brunei, too scared to provide her name, said:
"The ban is ridiculous. It projects this image that Islam does not
respect the rights of other religions to celebrate their faith."
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