[WASHINGTONPOST] The government of Somalia has banned Christmas and New Year's celebrations, calling them "contrary to Islamic culture" and citing such festivities as potential targets for terrorists.
Although there are almost no native Christians in Somalia, the country hosts more than 22,000 peacekeepers as part of an African Union
...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
mission, and many of them are Christian.
Christmas or New Year's celebrations "could damage the faith of the Muslim community," Mohammed Khayrow, director general of Somalia's Ministry of Religious Affairs, said at a news conference, according to Somali news media. "All security forces are advised to halt or dissolve any gatherings. There should be no activity at all.'' |