Somalia flip-flops on Christmas and New Year celebrations ban

MOGADISHU — A Somali Federal government official has denied that the country has banned the celebrations of Christmas and New Year.

Minister of Religious Affairs, Abdulkadir Ali Baghdadi has said that there is no a government decision which is prohibiting the festivities in an interview with the VOA Somali Service.

‘’There is no a government decision in place which is barring Christmas and New Year festivities to be hold…. Such events are often occurring in Muslim nations across the world and it is more about culture.

‘’As long as it is not violating our religion, everybody has the right to their own personal lifestyle,’’ he said on New Year eve parties.

Earlier this week, Director General of Ministry of Religious Affairs, Sheikh Mohamed Khayrow and religious leaders announced that Christmas and New Year celebrations cannot be hold in the country, citing that they are contrary to Islamic culture and may motivate al-Shabaab extremists to carryout attacks in Mogadishu.

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