Somali Government Bans Christmas Celebration - Sahara Reporters

The Somali government in Mogadishu has banned any
public celebration of Christmas citing the fact that the
holidays are Christian in nature and, therefore, threaten the
nation’s Islamic faith. In 2009, Somalia adopted Sharia law,
although Christmas was still occasionally celebrated.
According to the BBC, the security agencies of the country
have been placed on alert to stop any “Christmas
gatherings”. Foreigners can freely celebrate the holiday
although only in their own domiciles. Hotels and other public
areas cannot host celebrations of the holidays. The mayor
of Mogadishu, Yusuf Hussein Jimale, told the BBC that
Christmas gatherings could also become targets for Al-
Shabab. Celebrations will be allowed on United Nations
compounds and bases for African Union (AU) peacekeepers,
who are in the country to fight against the terrorist group.
www.saharareporters.com/2015/12/23/somali-
government-bans-christmas