Christmas In Brunei: A Holiday Under Scrutiny

Christmas has been banned in Brunei since 2014 or 2015. The ban was introduced by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, who has ruled the predominantly Muslim nation for nearly 50 years. The punishment for celebrating Christmas in Brunei is a fine of $20,000, up to five years in prison, or both. However, the ban only applies to celebrating Christmas publicly or by non-Muslims. Christians in Brunei can still celebrate Christmas in private residences and churches, but they must alert the authorities beforehand.

The punishment for celebrating Christmas in Brunei

In 2014, Brunei introduced a ban on Christmas celebrations over fears that celebrating it "excessively and openly" could lead its Muslim population astray. While the ban does not extend to Christians and other religious groups, they must celebrate in private and alert the authorities in advance. Failure to comply with these rules can result in a fine of $20,000, up to five years in prison, or both.

The Christmas ban in Brunei has been met with resistance, with some residents participating in the social media campaign #MyTreedom, which encourages Christians in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Brunei to post images of themselves celebrating Christmas.

Despite the ban, some Bruneian Christians continue to celebrate Christmas discreetly, adapting their traditions to comply with the law. For example, they may choose to celebrate within their own communities and in their homes, refraining from displaying Christmas decorations or playing Christmas music in public.

While the ban primarily affects the Christian minority in Brunei, who make up about 10% of the population, it also prohibits Muslims from participating in any Christmas-related activities. This includes wearing clothes that resemble Santa Claus, sending Christmas greetings, or displaying Christmas decorations.

The ban's impact on businesses

The ban on Christmas in Brunei has had a significant impact on businesses, particularly those in the retail and hospitality sectors.

In the lead-up to Christmas 2015, businesses and malls were reportedly told not to put up Christmas trees and decorations. While some businesses chose to keep decorations to a minimum or not display any at all, others continued to sell Christmas-themed items for people to use in their homes.

The Brunei Times reported that there were no new changes to existing regulations for the country's religious minority, allowing them to keep their celebrations within churches and private residences. However, the ban on public celebrations and decorations extended to businesses, with officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs visiting local businesses to ensure they were not displaying Christmas decorations, including Santa hats and banners with Christmas greetings.

The impact of the ban on businesses in Brunei was not limited to the removal of Christmas decorations. The introduction of the ban and the associated penalties of fines and jail time sent ripples of unease throughout the region, with non-Muslims in neighbouring Malaysia keeping a close watch on developments.

The ban on Christmas in Brunei has also had an impact on the tourism industry, with some Bruneian Christians choosing to travel to nearby cities in Malaysia or abroad for the December year-end holidays to celebrate Christmas freely.

The resistance to the ban

Despite the ban on Christmas in Brunei, many have found ways to resist it. One way is through the social media campaign #MyTreedom, which encourages Christians and others in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran to post images of themselves celebrating Christmas. The campaign has seen several contributions from Brunei residents.

Another form of resistance is seen through discreet online channels, where people gripe about the ban and share their own ways of celebrating Christmas, such as going away for the December year-end holidays to nearby cities in neighbouring Malaysia.

Some Bruneian Muslims have also expressed empathy towards their Christian countrymen, with some saying the ban was "silly" and "ridiculous" for a multiracial society. They added that the new restriction would not change their respect for the Christian religion.

Additionally, despite the ban, some families in Brunei continue to celebrate Christmas in private. One such family is the Changs, who plan to open presents at midnight, go to church, and have a big family lunch with halal turkey, pumpkin soup, and apple pie. The matriarch of the family, Nicky, shared that the ban has helped put into perspective what Christmas should truly be about—family and the birth of Jesus, rather than an over-commercialised holiday.

The Sultan of Brunei's justification for the ban

The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, introduced the Christmas ban in 2014, the same year the country adopted a stricter penal code based on Islamic Sharia law. The Sultan has ruled the former British colony for nearly 50 years.

The Christmas ban is justified under the new laws, which include punishments such as stoning and amputation. The punishment for celebrating Christmas is a fine of $20,000, up to five years in prison, or both. The justification for the ban is the fear that celebrating Christmas "excessively and openly" could lead the Muslim population astray. Local Islamic religious leaders have promoted the ban, warning that adopting the customs of Christmas is tantamount to imitating another faith, which is prohibited in some interpretations of Islam.

How the ban affects expats

The Christmas ban in Brunei has had a significant impact on expats living in the country, with many choosing to leave or spend the festive season elsewhere. One Western expatriate, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concern about Brunei's strict defamation laws and the potential penalties for breaking them. They also noted that the Brunei government is fearful of outside religions and is trying to impress and win foreign aid dollars from Saudi Arabia.

Many foreign workers in Brunei are Christians, and they now spend Christmas outside the country, often returning home or travelling to nearby Malaysia to celebrate with their families. This trend has been encouraged by the Bruneian government's enforcement of the ban, which includes sending officials to businesses and homes to ensure compliance.

The ban has also disrupted the usual Christmas celebrations of expat communities in Brunei. While Christians are still allowed to celebrate privately, they must first notify the authorities, and public displays of Christmas decorations are prohibited. This has resulted in a more low-key and restricted festive season for expats, with some choosing to leave the country altogether due to the enforcement of these laws.

The Christmas ban, along with the broader implementation of Sharia law in Brunei, has highlighted the government's religious conservatism and its willingness to impose strict penalties for any breaches. This has created a sense of unease and uncertainty among expats, particularly those from Western countries, who may not be accustomed to such restrictions on their cultural and religious practices.

Despite the ban, some expats have expressed resilience and adapted their celebrations to comply with the restrictions. Nicky, a 32-year-old Bruneian Christian, shared that while the downplaying of Christmas has been ongoing for years, they will still attend church and put up a Christmas tree at home. She also reflected that the ban has helped put into perspective the true meaning of Christmas—family and the birth of Jesus—rather than commercialised holiday elements like snowflakes and Santa Claus.

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