Somalia bans Christmas celebrations for Muslims; and Brunei

[muriel_volestrangler]

Somalia's government has banned the celebration of Christmas, warning that such Christian festivities could threaten the nation's Muslim faith.

"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.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-35167726

Christmas ban to be strictly enforced in Brunei after sharia law introduced

The all-powerful Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the world's richest men, announced last year he would push ahead with the introduction of sharia law, eventually including tough penalties such as death by stoning and severed limbs.

Religious leaders in the oil-rich sultanate warned this month that a ban on Christmas would be strictly enforced for fear Muslims could be led astray.

"Using religious symbols like crosses, lighting candles, putting up Christmas trees, singing religious songs, sending Christmas greetings ... are against Islamic faith," imams said in sermons published in the local press.

Punishment for violating the ban is a five-year jail sentence, and the government warned last year Muslims would be committing an offence if they so much as wore "hats or clothes that resemble Santa Claus".

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-23/christmas-ban-to-be-strictly-enforced-this-year-in-brunei/7051680

[whathehell]

1. But I thought it was only Christians who were intolerant, lol

[Igel]

2. Yup.

When one group does it, it's intolerance. It's evil, wrong, bad, making the population subservient to obsolete tradition. And it makes you fat and pimply.

When another group does it, it's preventing cultural assimilation and dominance, it's preserving authentic traditions and culture. It makes you svelte, attractive, and promotes dermatological health.

You just have to know when "it" is a good thing or a bad thing.

As I was once told, "If you don't know, nobody can explain it to you." This was said, naturally, by a grad student in a prestigious department at a top-rated tier I research university, a wannabe scholar and protector of critical thinking and academic freedom whose view of the world through his buccal cavity was blocked by his uvula, his head was so far up his butt.

[whathehell]

3. Lol..

Good answer.
Just wondering -- What was your noxious grad student talking about, pc 'awareness' or something?

[rug]

4. A teachable moment.

The Islamic opposition to Christmas is, familiarly, the pagan origins of the date. Both Jesus and Mary are esteemed in Islam.

http://www.islamicity.org/6407/jesus-in-islam-and-christmas/

Those notions are, familiarly, wrecked by intolerance and government enforcement.