Earlier this week, Brunei had banned Christmas celebration across the country. On Thursday, Somalia became the second Islamic nation to ban celebration of the Christian festival.
The Muslim country feared being the target for militants and hence decided to ban the celebration of Christmas and New Year in the country. The African nation does not follow the western calendar of celebrating 1 January as their new year, according to Daily Mail.
"All events related to Christmas and New Year celebrations are contrary to Islamic culture, which damage the aquidah (faith) of the Muslim community. There should be no activity at all," said Sheikh Mohammed Khayrow, Director General of Somalia's Ministry of Religious affairs, Daily Mail said.
The Deputy Chairman of the Religious Council of Somalia felt that celebrating Christmas would provoke the militants of terror group Al Shabaab to carry out attacks in the Muslim country.
In 2014, the terror group carried out a 'Christmas day attack' in the capital city of Mogadishu, killing three soldiers and injuring one civilian, an Al Jazeera report stated.
The non-Muslim population, foreign diplomats and aid workers will be allowed to celebrate Christmas privately in Somalia and in Brunei.
Santa Claus hats banned in Brunei
Earlier this week, Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of oil-rich country Brunei banned Muslims from celebrating the Santa Claus festival. The leader is believed to have passed a rule stating that, if Muslims were found celebrating the Christian festival, they could face a 5-year-jail term, Daily Mail reported.
"Using religious symbols like crosses, lighting candles, putting up Christmas trees, singing religious songs, sending Christmas greetings are against Islamic faith," imams said in a sermon published by Somalian press.
In the Muslim country with a population of 4, 30, 000, Christians represent only 9% of Brunei, according to Al Jazeera.
Reportedly, last year also Brunei had warned Muslims against celebrating the Santa Claus festival.
