22nd December, 2015
The small oil-rich nation of Brunei, in Asia, that prohibits propagation of any other religion apart from Islam, has banned Christmas celebration, threatening celebrators with five years in jail but Christians in the country are kicking back by showing their love for the festive period.
Other banned activities, according to a decree by Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah include putting up Christmas trees, singing religious songs and sending Christmas greetings, reported the Borneo Bulletin.
While non-Muslims are allowed to celebrate the holiday within their own communities, they must not disclose their plans to the nation’s Muslims – which make up 65 per cent of the 420,000-strong population.
Around 20 per cent of Brunei’s residents are non-Muslim, including substantial Buddhist and Christian communities.
‘These enforcement measures are…intended to control the act of celebrating Christmas excessively and openly, which could damage the aqidah (beliefs) of the Muslim community,’ said the Ministry of Religious Affairs in a statement.
Some Burnei residents, however, are risking jail time by still celebrating Christmas and uploading pictures to social media as part of a #MyTreedom campaign that celebrates religious freedom.
Here are some tweets in support of #Treedom
@RavenHUWolf Please show support for #Christians in Middle East @ hashtag #MyTreedom
🎄🎅🎁🎋 #MerryChristmas ❤🙏 pic.twitter.com/vRNHYyLyKS
— Raven*H⚓️U*Wolf (@RavenHUWolf) December 22, 2015
#MyTreedom the best hashtag of the year.
Christians in hiding posting pictures of defiance.
— Sophia Cannon (@UndercoverMutha) December 20, 2015
Praying for my Brothers and Sisters in Christ. MyTreedom #MyTreedom
— Lady Elaine (@Onthevergeofa) December 21, 2015
*Originally reported by Mail Online