ICC Note: If you feel annoyed that American culture has “taken Christ out of Christmas,” you sure wouldn’t like living in Somalia. The Muslim government of the war torn East African nation has banned Christmas celebrations, except for foreigners inside their own homes. The government has justified this policy by citing that Christmas has nothing to do with the country’s Muslim faith and that celebrations may actually invite terrorist attacks by al-Shabaab.

12/15/15 Somalia (BBC) – 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.

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