Meet the nine countries where Christmas was not celebrated

The preparations, decorations and exchange of Christmas and Christmas gifts are over. The festivities around the planet, broadcast on television between yesterday and today, wrongly suggest that it is a worldwide celebration.

In the midst of holidays, one can ignore or even forget that there are countries where one can not celebrate Christmas. Whether on the eve or at the commemoration date established centuries ago, millions of Christians were prevented from mentioning Jesus, whether for religious reasons or for governmental reasons.

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It is forbidden to celebrate Christmas in nine countries. . The newspaper Clarín enumerated them:

1. Saudi Arabia: Cradle of Islam, no one can celebrate Christmas there, because that would violate the commands of the Koran according to which one does not have to to mix "with infidels, in this case Christians. Even those who dare to celebrate in public can be persecuted.

Saudi Arabia has a law specifically prohibiting the display of allusions to Christmas, including images such as the tree or other Christmas symbols . Even tourists can not celebrate. In the last known case, in 2012, 35 Christians were arrested by Islamic religious police, accused of praying at Christmas.

2. Algeria: 98% of the inhabitants profess Islam, so there is no Christmas for them. In North Africa, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, this country banned celebrations of this date in December

3. Iran: Located in the Middle East, its official name says it all: Islamic Republic of Iran: More than 100 Christians were arrested last week for preparing their Christmas.

4. Tajikistan: Located in Central Asia, the country became independent in 1991 from the former Soviet Union and 98% of its population is Muslim. It was one of the last countries to adhere to the bans of Christian Christmas traditions. In addition, Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and Santa's costumes are totally forbidden.

5. Brunei: Located in Asia, the small country is officially Islamic. Christians represent less than 10% of the population, but since 2015, all mention of Christmas is prohibited. According to the sultan who runs the country, this "could harm the faith of the Muslim community". Among the forbidden ones are the display of religious symbols, candles, Christmas trees, carols or wishful greetings for the end of the year. Anyone who breaks the law can go up to five years in prison and pay a fine of about $ 20,000.

6. North Korea: In November 2016, Kim Jong-un decided to censor meetings related to alcohol and singing or entertainment grouped by a group of people. Although it is possible to see Christmas trees and decorative lights in some tourist areas of Pyongyang, such as hotels, restaurants or luxury shops, all religious symbols have been removed. On the occasion of Christmas, the public publicly celebrates the birthday of Kim Jong-su's grandmother Kim Jong-suk, born on December 25th.

7. Somalia: There are Muslim countries that, because of their Christian minority, allow the celebration of Christmas at home. This is not the case of Somalia, located in East Africa in the "Horn of Africa". His government banned all kinds of celebrations, arguing that these holidays "have nothing to do with Islam".

8. China: Christmas mentions in the People's Republic of China can be seen in the decorations of shopping malls and hotels where they stay in the West. However, the Chinese Communist Party prevented Christians from going out in the open air. Those who want to celebrate the date will have to do it at home.

9. Thailand : Popular tourist destination in Asia, December 25 in the Buddhist country is a day like any other. Although hotels, malls and restaurants may have Christmas decorations, the Christian aspect of the holiday has been totally eliminated.