This year, Christmas and New Year celebrations will come to halt in Somalia as government officials ban activities in fear of Islamist attacks.
Sheikh Mohamed Khayrow, director general of the religious affairs ministry, spoke on behalf of the Muslim-majority government on Tuesday [December 22, 2015], telling reporters that Christmas and New Year celebrations “could damage the faith of the Muslim community.
“We warn against celebration of Christmas, which is only for Christians. This is a matter of faith. The Christmas holiday and its drum beating have nothing to do with Islam,” Khayrow said on state radio.
The ministry has sent letters to police, national security intelligence, and officials in the country’s capital of Mogadishu, instructing them to “prevent Christmas celebrations.”
It is not entirely clear what immediately prompted the nationwide ban, however a December 25th attack on an African Union base last year brings back the horrifying history of the Islamists militants al Shabaab’s terrifying clutch on the African country.
al Shabaab once controlled the capital Mogadishu until 2011, enforcing a strong ban on Christmas celebrations. The militant group claims responsibility for last year’s attack that claimed the lives of three peacekeepers and one civilian contractor, and officials fear any Christmas celebrations may attract similar attacks this year.
“Christmas will not be celebrated in Somalia for two reasons; all Somalis are Muslims and there is no Christian community here. The other reason is security,” Abdifatah Halane, spokesman for the mayor of Mogadishu, told reporters. “Christmas is for Christians. Not for Muslims.”
