Banned Christmas: countries where celebrating the Christian holiday can bring drastic sanctions
There are several countries where the celebration of Christmas is restricted or even banned for religious or political reasons. In these states, public displays related to Christmas can attract severe penalties, from fines and corporal punishment to arrest or imprisonment.
In several countries around the world, the celebration of Christmas is restricted PHOTO: Shutterstock
Saudi Arabia: Holidays are only allowed in private
In Saudi Arabia, Christmas is not officially recognized and Christian symbols are banned in public spaces. However, Prince Mohammed bin Salman relaxed the rules slightly, allowing Christians to celebrate privately and shops to sell decorations. However, any public religious manifestation remains strictly prohibited. Christians can only celebrate in the privacy of homes or within religious communities.
Somalia: Islamic tradition takes precedence
In Somalia, authorities banned public Christmas and New Year celebrations in 2015, arguing that these events were incompatible with the country's Islamic identity. Public parties and decorating spaces with Christian symbols are not allowed, according to the Pulse publication.
Afghanistan: Drastic punishments for those who break the rules
Christmas is also banned in Afghanistan. Those who do not comply with this prohibition risk drastic punishments, including arrest, disappearance or severe corporal punishment.
Brunei: Holidays must be kept secret
In Brunei, public Christmas displays, such as wearing Santa hats or displaying decorations, are restricted and may attract penalties. Christians can celebrate Christmas privately, at home or in places of worship, but they are not allowed to reveal the traditions to other people.
North Korea: extreme punishments for decorating the tree
North Korea has completely banned Christmas, and December 24 is celebrated as the birthday of Kim Jong-Un's grandmother. Violation of the law can result in being sent to labor camps or other extreme punishments.
Il-yong Ju, who managed to escape from North Korea, told Sky News how Christmas was celebrated in his native country:
“At my house, we simply celebrate something like this. But we didn't know what that day was about, it's just that every December 25, Grandpa asked us to do this. Grandfather taught us «hey, granddaughters, in the other countries, apart from North Korea, every December 25th, they make this kind of Christmas tree and celebrate this day»“.
With Christianity suppressed in North Korea, no one knew the true origins of the tradition. As a result, Ju's family was not charged to the authorities and faced no repercussions.
“It was possible because my village was very small… it had only 30 households and was very isolated from the main town“, Ju explained.
