Sultan of Brunei: The Grinch Who Banned Christmas

A not-so-surprising decision by the Sultan of Brunei has forced many to call him the Grinch of Christmas 2015.

The Sultan of Brunei has banned Christmas, insisting that it can affect the Muslim faith. (Photo: The Quint)

The man who kept his own harem and believes gays should be stoned to death now brings a huge dampener and a new title to his name. The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, has banned Christmas from this conservative Asian country.

Previously, the Christian community of Brunei could only celebrate Christmas after alerting the authorities. However, the Christians of Brunei are now rejecting this ban using social media. The hashtag, #MyTreedom has started trending, where residents are posting pictures of their Christmas celebration at home.

65 percent of Brunei’s population are Muslims and according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, “celebrating Christmas excessively and openly” could damage the beliefs of the Muslim community.

A group of imams warned the Muslim community earlier in the month, saying any celebration ‘not in any way related to Islam “could lead to ‘tasyabbuh’ (imitation) and unknowingly damage the ‘aquidah’ (faith) of Muslims.”

During Christmas celebrations, Muslims following that religion’s acts – such as using their religious symbols like cross, lighting candles, making Christmas trees and singing religious songs, sending Christmas greetings, using signs praising the religion, putting up decorations or creating sounds and doing anything that amounts to respecting their religion – are against Islamic faith.

Imams of Brunei on Christmas celebration

The penalties for openly celebrating could lead up to five-years in prison.

(With inputs from agencies)