Subscribe
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE

If you happen to be spending time in Somalia, keep the Christmas cheer to yourself. The Somali government has banned the holiday, citing that the Christian tradition threatens the teachings of Islam. 

Reports the BBC:

“Those celebrations are not in any way related to Islam,” an official at the religious affairs ministry said.

Security agencies have been directed to stay alert to stop any gatherings.

Foreigners are free to mark the Christian holiday in their own homes, but hotels and other public places have been prohibited from marking the day.

“Having Muslims celebrate Christmas in Somalia is not the right thing, such things are akin to the abandonment,” local media quote Mohamed Kheyrow, a top official at Somalia’s justice and religious affairs ministry, as saying.

Part of the reason for the ban is to avoid targeting by Islamist militant group al-Shabab.

Recently, three people are killed after a car bomb went off in Mogadishu. It is thought the attack was carried out by al-Shabab.

Does this mean Festivus is a no-go, too? SMH.

Photo: AP Photo