Brunei cancels Christmas: Sultan warns those celebrating could face up to five years in jail

[Boiler 46,358]

Anyone found illegally celebrating Christmas in Brunei could face up to five years in prison, according to a reported declaration by the Sultan of the tiny oil-rich state.

Brunei introduced its ban on Christmas last year over fears that celebrating it "excessively and openly" could lead its Muslim population astray.

Christians and others can celebrate Christmas, but must do so in private and have to first alert the authorities.

Local Islamic religious leaders have promoted the ban, warning that adopting the trappings of Christmas is tantamount to imitation of another faith, prohibited in some interpretations of Islam.

Officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs have also reportedly visited local businesses to ensure they are not displaying Christmas decorations, including Santa hats and banners with Christmas greetings.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/brunei-cancels-christmas-sultan-warns-those-celebrating-could-face-up-to-five-years-in-jail-a6782561.html

[lostinblue 1,989]

Christmas is tantamount to imitation of another faith, prohibited in some interpretations of Islam.

Europe will be in for a big surprise someday soon.

[Jacque67 7,328]

Sounds like bliss.

[Dashinka 24,959]

Sounds like bliss.

Depends on your definition of bliss.

[Jacque67 7,328]

Depends on your definition of bliss.

Shops without Christmas tat.

[smilesammich 10,727]

and just when my plans to move to brunei where just about finalized....

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Brunei gained its independence from the UK in 1984 though internally it has self ruled since the early 1970's

Brunei law is based on English common law - In 2013 they announced they were enacting Sharia law in three phases to be complete by the end of 2016

In April of 2014 they made the following punishable by the death penalty:

o Insult or defamation of the Prophet Mohammed

o Insulting any verses of the Quran and Hadith

o Blasphemy

o Declaring oneself a prophet or non-Muslim

o Sodomy

o Adultery

o All homosexual acts for men or women

They seem to be tolerant of other religions (even atheists), they just don't want it out in public where Muslims can see. It will be interesting to see if they hold onto this or become less tolerant over time....

Not my cup of tea but it is their country -

[Boiler 46,358]

Less tolerant?

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

Less tolerant?

The majority of Sharia law would only apply to Muslims.. The English Common law would be usurped by Sharia law in many cases but applied differently based on religion (more laws and harsher punishments if you are a Muslim) They want to create a society that is friendly/compatible to their religion which will conflict in some areas with other religions in which case they would favor the Islamic faith. We do the same here to some extent - there is a giant cross on top of the mountain I can see from my house, I won't be seeing any non-christian symbols on the mountain anytime soon.

"Less tolerant" is where they apply the Sharia laws/punishments to other religions and try to change the behavior of the private lives of people of other religions.. The language they have used so far says they will not do that. One of my issues with the Islamic faith is that it tends to become a way of life for a larger percentage of its followers than other religions and compels them to interfere with other faiths (and in the state to control others). It does not *have* to be that way but it seems to be the default when they are the dominant religion.. We will see.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

When they are the majority, the minorities have no rights.

When they are the minorities, they demand rights.

[Expat1 971]

Brunei sounds like a peaceful utopia.

We should elect some people like that.

[Advanced Aardvark 82]

The Sultan of Grinch is a party pooper!

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

When they are the majority, the minorities have no rights.

When they are the minorities, they demand rights.

It really is that simple

[ExPatty 502]

Intolerance from islam with obscene punishments for non compliance? How unprecedented!

[X Factor 1,112]

Maybe the sultan realizes that Jesus wasn't born on December 25 wink, wink