Somalia Bans Christmas, NYE Festivities

Somalia’s government has banned any celebrations related to Christmas or the new year, alleging that the festivities are likely to attract Islamist attacks. Sheikh Mohamed Khayrow, the director general of the religious affairs ministry, told reporters Tuesday that all events related to Christmas and new year’s celebrations were “contrary to Islamic culture, which could damage the faith of the Muslim community,” Lebanon’s Daily Star reported. Khayrow even said security forces had been ordered to break up any such celebrations. Somalia is the second reported Muslim majority country to ban Christmas this year, after Brunei decreed a similar halt on Christian celebrations. Somalia issued another ban in 2013.