Islamic law forbids public display of Infidel religious celebrations.
“Brunei bans Christmas celebrations in public, including wearing Santa hats,” by Lindsay Murdoch, Sydney Morning Herald, December 21, 2015:
Oil-rich Brunei has banned public celebrations of Christmas, including sending festive greetings and the wearing of Santa Claus hats.
Muslims seen celebrating Christmas and non-Muslims found to be organising celebrations could face up to five years jail.
However the country’s non-Muslims, who comprise 32 per cent of the 420,000 population, can celebrate Christmas in their own communities on the condition that the celebrations are not disclosed to Muslims.
Banned: Santa hats are not allowed in public in Brunei.Imams have told followers in the tiny Borneo nation to follow a government edict last year banning celebrations that could lead Muslims astray and damage their faith, according to the Borneo Bulletin.
Advertisement“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,” the Ministry of Religious Affairs said in a statement explaining the edict that was published in the Brunei Times.
The statement said non-Muslims disclosing or displaying Christmas celebrations violated the penal code which prohibits propagating religion other than Islam to a Muslim.
The Borneo Bulletin quotes imams saying in a Friday sermon that lighting candles, putting up Christmas trees, singing religious songs, sending Christmas greetings and putting up decorations are against the religious faith.
“Some may think that it is a frivolous matter and should not be brought up as an issue,” the imams are quoted as saying.
“But as Muslims … we must keep it (following other religions’ celebrations) away as it could affect our Islamic faith,” they said….
But Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the world’s richest men, last year ordered the introduction of sharia, the strict legal code based on the injunctions of the Koran, prompting boycotts and protests at hotels he owns in the United Kingdom and the United States, including the Beverly Hills Hotel.
The laws, which include amputation of hands and feet for theft and whipping for adultery, were to be phased in over three years.
But their introduction appears to have been delayed without public explanation, according to foreign observers in Brunei.

Angemon says
In practice, what’s the difference between that and outright making it illegal?
Nora says
God gave them so much petroleum and deprived them from common sense.
More Ham Ed says
I’m sure Dhimillary Clinton will get right on this because we’re not being nice enough to muslims (lowercase be upon them).
pdxnag says
Now, which Islamic state is not like Islamic State?
Christian A. Beltram says
Today public celebrations of Christmas are banned in Brunei. Tomorrow even private celebrations of Christmas will be banned in the Sultinate. the slow implementation of Sharia in Brunei is turning that nation into the Saudi Arabia of the Pacific Rim.
Myxlplik says
I wonder if we could banish the public display of Bruneians?
gravenimage says
Brunei bans public Christmas celebrations, including wearing Santa hats
……………………
This should not surprise, considering Brunei imposed full Shari’ah law just recently–including the stoning of women.
Arthur says
Islam is such a weak ‘religion’ that its leaders, thoroughly familiar with its canon, know that exposure to even a glimpse of Christianity (or any other religion) could result in apostasy.
What other explanation is there?
Laura says
That was exactly my thought when I read the article. Their “faith” must be so weak. It goes along with the OMG “glimpse” of a bare ankle or wrist send their “men” into uncontrollable raping mode. The religion of no control.
abad says
We all know Islam cannot stand on its own two feet.
And considering how Muslims represent Islam of late – it really is not good.
They all need to go and congregate in either Saudi Arabia (there is PLENTY of room there for the planet’s 1.6 Muslim population) and leave the rest of the world alone.
revereridesagain says
B-B-But what about the al Azhar U. imams in their Santa Hats? Will they be banned from visiting for the rest of December? Or better yet, stoned if they miss the memo and show up?
gravenimage says
It’s OK–the Al Azhar clerics are the definition of “Bad Santas”.
Robert Spencer has a great sense of humor in the face of this savagery, which I have always much appreciated.
Robert_K says
You’re right. The Blind Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman is guilty of the crime of wearing a Santa Clause cap as Robert Spencer’s photo ironically shows.
gravenimage says
Hilariously, you can buy this “Bad Santa” hat–technically considered a “turban”–for a mere $29.99:
http://www.alhannah.com/products/me665.html
Amaze your friends with your Qur’anic erudition! Riot over cartoons! Terrify small children! Fun for the whole Ummah!
Peggy says
One way to get back at this turd is to stop going to his hotels. We are financing this man through buying his product so who’s the fool?
I wonder if our glorious dictators, sorry, “leaders” are going to say that this man is distorting Islam and this has nothing to do with Islam. Just waiting to see who will be the first traitor to utter these words. Maybe they’ll just keep silent this time.
gravenimage says
Some people *are* boycotting the Beverly Hills Hotel. Peggy–but some have short memories, or never cared to begin with:
“Beverly Hills Hotel trying to lure in celebs despite boycott”
http://pagesix.com/2015/05/17/beverly-hills-hotel-trying-to-lure-celebs-in-again-despite-boycott/
Peggy says
Obviously not enough people are boycotting anything from these countries.
We are our own worst enemies.
Joseph says
Islam can kiss my jingle balls.
Trainer says
Wow. Sucks that their religion is so frail it could be damaged just by the sight of a publically-worn Santa hat. Good thing they have a government to create a country-wide “safe space” for them to worship in. Boy howdy, I’d hate to be responsible for bringing an entire country of Muslims kicking and screaming over to Christianity with my $4.99 Walmart Santa hat. Why, they’d all have to be killed as apostates! /sarc
Macquarie says
Paradoxically, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the world’s richest men was featured on last Sunday’s 60 Minute program. He has introduced strict Sharia Law right throughout Brunei, whilst he and his brother indulge in every lascivious pleasure known to man; alcohol, drugs, adultery, harems, etc. But of horse any of his subjects doing the same thing – and the penalty is DEATH. Islamic hypocrisy – so prevalent with this debauched ‘religion.’
Now this Allah loving cretin wants to ban Santa Claus, lighting candles & Christmas trees. Why would any self-respecting person set foot in such a debauched country?
Oppressaphobe says
Islamists are basically globalists in gowns.
There is no difference between the globalist crowd and these rich islamists.
They are using muslims and religion to control the population, plain and simple.
A caliphate makes the job of the globalist easier; they know where everybody is five times a day, for starters and the benefits go on and on.
These militant jihadis are just fodder to the muckity mucks at the top of the chain.
Muslims who think they are being pious, are just PEONS.
Didn’t Jesus talk about people who were self-righteous, displaying their religion in public to BE SEEN OF MEN.
Didn’t Jesus preach against ALL THE MUSLIMS SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS??
They make themselves GOD by stoning people to death for so called sins that are not sins at all, but just another way of controlling people.
Yet they commit HEINIOUS SINS. Sins of glutteny, murder, rape, comparing themselves to god when god would spit them out and destroy them in everlasting fire for what they have done.
MUSLIMS ARE PUPPETS–EVIL PUPPETS BUT PUPPETS NONE THE LESS.
Eyerish says
What else is new regarding religion and control over people? Christianity is no different in that regard.
“They make themselves GOD by stoning people to death for so called sins that are not sins at all, but just another way of controlling people.”
Christianity dictates death for mostly the same sins that Islam does – where do you think it got most of its ideas from?
“Didn’t Jesus preach against ALL THE MUSLIMS SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS??”
No he didn’t preach against Muslims because the Jesus fable predates the Islam fable by about 400-500 years so Jesus had no knowledge of Islam despite his dad’s all knowingness there is no mention of Islam in the bible.
BC says
I live in Brunei for four years around the time of the first Gulf War. It was quite liberal at first. non Muslims (and Muslims who wished) could buy alcohol. Then they banned it and that lead to smuggling. next the banned the annual Lantern Festival because it was un Islamic. Then recently sharia became law. Creeping Islamisation in action.
Richard says
Islamic multiculturalism?
I’m sure Corbyn will condemn this as Christianophobia. Perhaps he can get the Imam of his favourite mosque to wear a Santa hat along with his congregation in protest against this blatant discrimination.
ECAW says
Season’s greetings to the Sultan, and to all at Jihad Watch:
vickie says
Is that Mr Spencer on the far right?????t!!!
Joseph says
Those were his younger **crazy** days
Aardvark says
And is that Hugh Fitzgerald on the left?
KABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM says
Lovely!! Feliz Navidad to all. A kick in the nutz to barry soetoro, assuming the asshole has any.
gravenimage says
Joyous and goofy! A Merry Christmas to everyone here!
As for Robert Spencer, he actually does play the sax–what could be more Haram?
Linde Barrera says
To Ecaw- Thank you for the “Feliz Navidad” video. Loved it! Were you one of the singers in disguise? If so, you have a great voice. I know you have a blog, but who says a blogger can’t also sing? ?
ECAW says
Great isn’t it? My wife won’t listen to it because it’s so catchy she can’t get it out of her mind. Alas, I’m not one of them…couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.
P0rkCh0ps says
If the leftist idiots had their way they would ban Christmas in Christian countries.
RICHTHOFEN says
What a happy place to live – NOT!
خَليفة says
This goes to show the depths of ignorance and bigotry that Muslims will sink to in the name of their stupid ideology.
Many people ( atheists to various other religions ) celebrate Christmas as purely a secular holiday – they have no religious thoughts, prayers or motivations, they simply like giving gifts and decorating. Santa Claus is not part of Christian doctrine, neither are Christmas trees or giving gifts, neither are Christmas decorations. There are so many things about Christmas which are not part of Christian doctrine, but rather part of western culture. To ban “Christmas celebrations” is actually a ban on “western culture” and that shows how Intolerant and bigoted Brunei is.
Boycot Brunei
Linde Barrera says
I wish a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of my fellow counter-jihadists. One of the commenters here who has an Arabic moniker said “Santa Claus is not part of the Christian doctrine” as per Dec 22, 2015 post at 3:51 am. I respectfully disagree with that as Saint Nicholas was born in 280 AD and died in 343. He lived his life between what is now the area on the southwest coast of Turkey between Fethiye and Antalya.He gave most of his inheritance to lots poor people, rescuing poor girls from prostitution and slavery because their fathers could not provide them with a dowry. So Saint Nicholas gave them a dowry. It is that spirit of kindness, and generous giving that embodies what our Lord Jesus referred to as the “pure in heart”. So in my opinion, the Santa Claus tradition from Saint Nicholas was part of Christian doctrine. Kind regards.
Steven says
Brunei, one of the world’s most apartheid regime
Adam says
I don’t celebrate Ramadan, why? It’s nothing to do with me & I don’t care about it, I imagine Muslims in Britiain feel the same about Christmas.
Proof if ever it was needed that Islam is a religion of supremacy rather than tolerance.
Peggy says
True but then why are Easter eggs and Easter buns Halal certified?
Yes, these things are Halal in our shops. Who is buying these products if not non Muslims? I can’t see any Muslims buying this and still It’s Halal.
Champ ✿ says
You silly muslims are missin’ out on so much Christmas Fun!!!!!!!!!!
FaLaLaLaLaLaLaLaLaLa!!!!!!!! ..and all that jazz!!
Dontcha know that Christmas is the most *wonderful* time of the year …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFtb3EtjEic
Enjoy! 🙂
Joseph says
Champ, I also miss those old Christmas cartoons, they bring out the kid in me.
http://nj1015.com/top-christmas-cartoons/
If I don’t get a chance, may you and yours have a blessed CHRISTmas and a happy New Year ! !
This goes for everyone here on J.W.
May everyone have a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
For all you Muslims….You are like the person standing out in the cold, looking in on a family celebrating a special day for all mankind. Enjoy the freezing temperatures and all the coldness in your heart that Islam brings.
You choose to wear the yoke of Islam so enjoy it. You picked it…You wear it.
Champ ✞ says
Thank you, Joseph, and Merry Christmas to you and yours! And I love Christmas cartoons, too. 🙂 They bring out the kid in me, which is easy to do, lol!
Indeed Jesus is the Reason for the season!
gravenimage says
Thanks for posting that great song, Champ!
I don’t care if Muslims are missing out–because of Islam they miss out on lots of beautiful and joyous things–it’s that they want *everyone else* to miss out on this, as well.
Merry Christmas to you and Joseph and everyone else here at Jihad Watch!
Champ ♥ says
Thank you, Graven, and Merry Christmas to you and yours!! xoxo
Wellington says
Merry Christmas, Champ, to you and your family and, as gravenimage already posted, to everyone else (like Joseph) here at JW.
As for Islam at Christmastide, Islam is the prototype for the Grinch who stole Christmas. Islam is the ultimate Grinch. Islam has Grinch written all over it, for general good cheer, for a Golden Rule for all, for true tolerance, for equality under the law, for love of any kind, including romantic love (not surprising that the Islamic world hates Valentine’s Day), for virtually anything which is decent and good and enjoyable (this would definitely encompass well made beer).
My God, what a monstrosity Islam is. Not all Muslims are monsters, though enough of them are, but what deluded Muslims (excuse the redundancy) believe in is monstrosity of the first order. By now one knows this or should know it. You do. Gravenimage does. Angemon does, Joseph and so many others here at JW do. But this “field” needs to expand. I think it is doing that. Sure hope so since wonderful things like liberty, equality under the law and Valentine’s Day (oh yeah, Christmas Day too), most definitely depend upon it.
Take good care, my friend. And, once again, a Merry Christmas to you and all those you hold dear to your heart.
Champ says
Thank you, dear Wellington! And a *very* Merry Christmas to you and yours!! 😀
Yes–what you wrote about islam & company is all true. Indeed, they are the Grinch who *tries* to steel Christmas, but without any success. They certainly try, but they can’t steel the heartfelt Joy that many of us experience at Christmastime–since this Joy exists within us and cannot be touched by anyone or anything! The Joy and Fun that Christmastime brings is an internal experience with external practices and traditions which flow from that Joy. All of which we freely choose to enjoy and experience in our own home anyway …something most muslims simply can’t appreciate: Fun & Freedom!
Hope you and your family have a memorable and fun-filled Christmas Day and beyond!
Peggy says
They are probably saying how we are silly and missing out on all that fasting during Ramadan.
We have Christmas carols, gifts and tinsel, they have fasting.
Michael Copeland says
“Non-Muslim subjects are obliged to comply with Islamic rules”
Manual of Islamic Law, “Reliance of the Traveller”, o11.5(6).
Steven says
Worst, I mean
dragaozao says
In the west, namedly in US, there lotsw of “liberals” who would like to imitate these laws.
steve says
I’m offended at this racist presentation of feliz navidad directed at me to make me feel guilty. Yes, i did like zorro as a kid but why torture me now?
Expat88 says
So sad. I was in Brunei before all the restrictions and it was fairly “normal” then. No consideration will be given to all the foreign workers (many Philippinos) who are predominantly Catholic. I hope they vote with their feet by leaving to work elsewhere.
Marty says
The UK has been turned into a prostitute nation, with everything up for sale.
The Sultan owns a large estate in the Thames Valley, & has erected high walls &
security fences around it so that the English cannot see their own heritage.
He tried to get a river diverted, having failed, erected barriers across it.
He & his dissolute brother owned yachts Tits 1 & Tits 2 & bought up Aspreys (“the Queen’s
jewellers”). Only to find that its profitability was down to his & his brother’s vast expenditure there.
Like all mohammedan rulers, this man is hypocritical scum.
DP111 says
These two but Islamic countries exist at our sufference. If we ban everything we export to them, and don’t allow them to the West, they will convert to Christianity so fast , it will cause Climate Change.
Baucent says
There needs to be a Boycott, Disinvestment campaign against Brunei owned assets (which really means assets owned by the Sultan) much as is aimed against Israel, and other Sharia States. Let them feel the financial pain inflicted by the non muslim world.
DP111 says
we-are-all-muslim-a-flat-fatty-campaign-t17340.html
http://thepeoplescube.com/peoples-blog/michael-moore-we-are-all-muslim-a-flat-fatty-campaign-t17340.html
ECAW says
Brilliant!
Aardvark says
Thanks for that, DP111, it’s hilarious!
I thought the ‘Islam for Dummies’ was a bit tautological, though. After all, that’s the only Islam there is!
gravenimage says
Grimly hilarious, DP111!
Baucent says
I think an appropriate response to this edict would be if Christmas lovers around the world sent a Christmas card to the Sultan. A thousand mail bags of Christmas cards would surely clog the Brunei postal service.
Secondly, all leading Imams in Brunei should be identified and be sent an unsolicited mail order “Santa Hat”. That might cause a little explaining.
Aardvark says
Two bags of mail would probably clog the Brunei postal service…
Luke says
Strikes me just how insecure Islam is as a ‘faith’. They kill apostates, abolish Christmas, try their best to get rid of non-Muslims. They are really scared. But if the truth were on their side, wouldn’t they have nothing to fear? If Islam were so wonderful, no-one would consider leaving it right?
It’s not just Brunei of course, it’s in many parts of the Islamic world.
And where is the outcry about this from the politically correct liberal multiculturalists in the non-Muslim world?
ICH says
“Islam is all about love and tolerance ”
HAHAHAHHA
Shaddap LIARS
red rose says
This is practiced across all Muslims countries towards Christians. But when Muslims invade Christians countries, we allow them to continue with the harassment by telling us our Christmas and other religious celebrations offend them. What a joke!
John Thomas says
Quite simply – Why isn’t this on the news?
Dacritic says
Yea, I’m wondering too.
nic says
what a depressing story.
Lets think of something more cheerful.
Brunei relies on oil production for 95+ percent of its GDP. It imports 60% of its food needs, purchased with that oil money.
They only have 20 years of oil reserves left.
Where will the food come from then ?
Are Korans edible ?
KABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM says
likely. After all moslims have been swallowing the shiit in it for nigh on 1400 years. Feliz Navidad.
duh_swami says
Don’t expect Mahoundians ro approve celebrating the birth of ‘shirk’…
mortimer says
There will attacks on Christian churches at Christmas. I beg church authorities to be prepared with security at the doors of large churches.
Gary says
Let me get this right…
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah owns Hotels in the United Kingdom and the United States, including the Beverly Hills Hotel. So he knows what “transpires” in those Hotels, but he’s fine with taking the profits from those Hotels? Couldn’t that possibly…. lead Muslims astray and damage their faith?
“You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:
‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART STAYS FAR AWAY FROM ME.
‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'”
(Matthew 15:7-9)
gravenimage says
Whatever happens in these hotels is a lot more decent that what happens under Shari’ah law.
Oppressaphobe says
Yup!
That’s the best thing we can do is to expose them.
Clifford Ross says
If seeing a ‘Santa’ hat turns a Muslim against Islam, the World should wear ‘Santa’ hats every day !
Frank Courtney says
Wish all the folks at the Brunei Ministry of Religious Affairs “A Very Merry Christmas” along with pictures of the Nativity, Christmas hats, mp3s of Christmas carols etc to:
info@123.com.bn
Gea says
Unlike other religions, Islam ITSELF, as written in Koran, Hadith and Sira -Life of Mohamed (Iwww.cspipiublishing.com/.pdfs/AtwoHourKoran.pdf) is a political ideology, such as Communism, Fascism and Nazism, which is NOT compatible with the US Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
We need so sue all mosques and other Islamic cover operations for their HATE SPEECH against HUMANITY as it results in terrorism, and therefore such HATE speech is NOT protected by the First Amazement of the US Constitution. Trump does not go far enough in just banning Muslim immigration…we need to deal with potential soldiers for Allah created daily in US mosques.
But first we need to remove the BIG Muslim Brother, Barack Hussein Obmaa, out of power and put him on trial for treason. there is enough evidence to convict him and Hillary Clnton.
jimmy says
islam is so weak… I think one day will crumble without previous warning…
I know violence works but it must be hard to enforce these kind of laws and beliefs.
It’s christmas… Time to eat turron.
Garegin says
I wonder what Chris Pinto and the rest of the anti-Christmas Protestant radicals feel about this.
Champ says
Why is “Justin” back? He’s been banned a few times already now for spreading his lies and idiocy.
Jae M says
Truth would affect their faith.