Somalia cancels Christmas because it threatens Islamic culture

By David K. Li
December 23, 2015 | 12:21pm


The Somalian government announced a ban against Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, saying Wednesday that such festivities threaten Islamic culture.

Even though the war-torn country is 99 percent Muslim, Christmas celebrations “could damage the faith of the Muslim community,” said Mohamed Khayrow, director general of Somalia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs.

“All security forces are advised to halt or dissolve any gatherings,” he added. “There should be no activity at all.”

Government officials said the decree was needed to protect the country from terrorists who might want to attack that handful of Christmas events.

Last year, a gunman opened fire on a Christmas party at a military base. One of those killed was American Delta Force members Brett Fredricks, who was there training peacekeepers.

“We [Islamic scholars] are warning against the celebration of such events which are not relevant to the principles of our religion,” said Sheikh Nur Barud Gurhan, deputy chairman of the Supreme Religious Council of Somalia.

http://nypost.com/2015/12/23/somalia...-99-christian/