See Countries Where Christians Are Punished For Celebrating Xmas

While Christmas is a time of joy and celebration for millions worldwide, in some nations, the festivities are either outrightly banned or fraught with significant dangers.

Religious and cultural restrictions in these countries mean that openly celebrating Christmas can lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment, violence, or even death.

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Here are five countries where Christmas celebrations face outright bans or severe suppression.

1. North Korea

EKO HOT BLOG gathered that in North Korea, celebrating Christmas is forbidden, as the regime mandates loyalty only to its leader, Kim Jong-un, and his family. An estimated 400,000 Christians secretly practice their faith amid grave risks. Under the “anti-reactionary thought law,” introduced in 2020, even owning a Bible or engaging in private worship is a punishable offense.

Tens of thousands of Christians are imprisoned in labor camps, where they face brutal conditions. Women are particularly vulnerable, often subjected to s*xual violence. The regime’s totalitarian grip leaves no room for religious celebrations, including Christmas.

2. Somalia

In Somalia, celebrating Christmas is deemed un-Islamic and is banned under strict Sharia law enforced by the government and militant groups like al-Shabaab. Christians, many of whom are Muslim converts, live in constant fear of persecution. Public celebrations are life-threatening, and even private worship must be conducted in extreme secrecy.

Al-Shabaab militants actively hunt down Christians, viewing them as high-value targets. For the few hundred Christians in Somalia, any expression of faith, including Christmas, can result in violent retribution.

3. Libya

Libya, a predominantly Muslim country, does not officially recognize Christmas, and public celebrations are highly discouraged. For the estimated 35,100 Christians in the country, practicing their faith is dangerous. Converts from Islam face violent reprisals from their families and communities, including house arrest, abduction, and murder.

The country’s pervasive lawlessness also makes Christians vulnerable to human trafficking and extremist violence, forcing them to avoid any overt displays of faith.

4. Eritrea

Although almost half of Eritrea’s population identifies as Christian, only three denominations—Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Lutheran—are recognized by the government. Those outside these groups face persecution, and unauthorized religious gatherings, including Christmas celebrations, can result in imprisonment.

Thousands of Christians are detained without trial in dire conditions, with some enduring over a decade of solitary confinement.

5. Yemen

In Yemen, celebrating Christmas is practically impossible due to the dominance of Islamic law, which forbids conversion to Christianity. For the small Christian population, worshipping must be done in absolute secrecy to avoid severe consequences such as forced divorce, loss of custody of children, or even honor killings.

The ongoing civil war has further marginalized Christians, with limited access to humanitarian aid and increasing dangers of exposure.

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