Christmas is a no go for the Muslims
of Brunei, due to new regulations implemented by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
Putting up
decorations, singing carols or celebrating Christmas traditions will result in
a five year jail sentence. The new law is said to be instated to protect the
faith of Muslims.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs said in a statement: "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."
65% of Brunei’s population identify themselves as being Muslim;
however the restrictions that are placed upon them are continuously growing.
Pornography and neglecting to commit to Islam in any way
results in indefinite jail time with other inhuman punishments that must be
endured. Canning, stoning and the death penalty are all still active forms of
punishment in Brunei.
However abnormal it appears to ban the public celebration of Christmas, this not the worst of the Sultan's restrictions. Just last year Brunei was in the press after passing outrageous new laws against homosexuals. Sexual acts between the same-sex, are
now punishable in the country with the death penalty by stoning.
Disturbingly, this is not the
only country that has begun to harshen its laws on the openness of homosexuality. Uganda
and Nigeria have passed anti-gay laws that result in extreme punishments for
homosexuals. It appears that whilst the west are embracing love between
any gender, eastern countries aren’t so accepting.
Although the 60 year old entrepreneur is worth an enormous $20 billion and fourth richest royal in the world, his views are yet to be accepted by the west. Therefore, the Sultan had no choice but to festively decorate his collection of hotels, including The Dorchester Collection and The Beverly Hills hotel.
The love of Christmas is a risk but some of Brunei’s
residents are willing to take it, with the hashtag #MyTreedom appearing all over
social media.
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