Somalia’s Federal Government has banned Christmas and New Year celebrations in the capital Mogadishu, saying the celebrations are not Islamic.
Director General of Somalia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, Sheikh Mohamed Khayrow and the Vice Chairman of the Supreme Religious Council (SRC), Sheikh Nur Barud Gurhan made the announcement on Tuesday at a press conference in the Somali capital Mogadishu.
“All events related to Christmas and New Year celebrations are contrary to Islamic culture, which could damage Aqidah (faith) of the Muslim community,” Sheikh Kayrow was quoted as saying by the media.
‘’All security forces are advised to halt or dissolve any gatherings. There should be no activity at all,’’ he added.
“We Islamic scholars are warning against the celebration of such events which are not relevant to the principles of our religion. Such events give also al-Shabaab to carry out attacks,’’ Sheikh Gurhan, the SRC deputy chairman, said.
The announcements by the minister and religious cleric come in the wake of fears that the Al Shabaab could strike during such festive days like happened last year, when members of the Islamic extremist group launched a deadly attack on the African Union (AU) force headquarters in Mogadishu during a Christmas party, killing 12 Ugandan soldiers and other foreign nationals.
