Sultan of Brunei calls off Christmas warning those celebrating they could face five years in jail

Country's leader is worried celebrations could lead his people astray.THE super wealthy Sultan of Brunei has cancelled Christmas, threatening those who celebrate with jail or hefty fines.

The Sultan's palace

Muslim citizens of the small oil-rich country have been banned from putting up Christmas trees, singing carols and sending Christmas cards amid fears it could lead its 420,000-strong population astray. Christians and other non-Muslims have been permitted to celebrate, but must do so behind closed doors and keep their plans a secret from other faiths.

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Brunei

Any Muslim caught celebrating Christmas faces up to five years in jail or a £13,500 fine. At least 65 per cent of Brunei's population are Muslims. In a statement the country’s Ministry of Religious Affairs said:

 “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.” Officials are reported to have patrolled business districts to ensure they are not displaying any festive decorations or banners.


Speaking to the Borneo Bulletin, some imams said: “Some may think that it is a frivolous matter and should not be brought up as an issue. “But as Muslims... we must keep it [following other religions' celebrations] away as it could affect our Islamic faith.”

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who has ruled the former British colony for nearly 50 years, introduced the ban on Christmas in 2014, the same year Brunei adopted a stricter penal code, based on Islamic sharia and including punishments such as stoning and amputation.

The ban has seen a backlash among some Brunei residents who have posted pictures of their Christmas celebrations to Twitter as part of wider social media campaign #MyTreedom which encourages religious freedom.