At least ten countries do not celebrate Christmas, so on December 25th it is very different that many enjoy, share and celebrate with family.

Countries in the world that don’t celebrate Christmas

1. Saudi Arabia

They don’t celebrate Christmas. Trying to do this is seen by some as “a transgressive act,” says El Comercio.

Saudi Arabia, the media noted a year ago, issued an annual regulation banning “visible signs” of Christmas celebrations. Neither Muslims nor visitors can celebrate.

In the case of the Christian minority, if they want to celebrate something, they must do so in private.

However, twelve months later, El Tiempo emphasized: “Over the years, the country has seen a growing religious tolerance and in shopping centers you can find decorations that refer to this holiday. This is due to the growing number of expats choosing Saudi Arabia as their place of residence. of the stay and of the government’s efforts to lead the country towards an ‘open and moderate Islam’.

2. Algeria

Like the previous country, this African country “98% of the population also practices the religion of Islam.” That means ‘they don’t celebrate Christmas’.

3. Tajikistan

Know: “Christmas trees, gift giving and Santa Claus costumes are prohibited.”

In that country, which became independent from the former Soviet Union 32 years ago, 98% of the population is Muslim.

4. North Korea

El Comercio points out that in November 2016, that country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, decided to censor gatherings related to alcohol, singing or entertainment that brought people together. The measure was not taken before Christmas, but the holiday was banned.”

But the North Koreans do have a celebration linked to the leader: ‘Instead of Christmas, Kim Jong-un has decided to leave all the protagonists to the figure of his grandmother, who was born around this time. dictator wants it done for his family,” Antena 3 published.

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5. Somalia

A situation comparable to that of Algeria. In Somalia, and also in Africa, ‘the government bans Christmas celebrations because they are against Islamic morals and ‘have nothing to do with Islam’.

6. Brunei

The Asian country, like Saudi Arabia, has a part of the population that celebrates Christmas, but cannot do so in public.

There they are governed by the Islamic calendar. This extremist country has a law that bans Christmas celebrations. El Universo reported a year ago.

According to Sputnik, which quoted The Independent in 2021, “family celebrations, in private, are allowed, as long as the authorities are informed in advance.”

In 2015, the Sultan declared that “anyone who celebrated Christmas illegally in Brunei could face up to five years in prison.”

7. China

Christmas is not considered an official holiday in this country, El Tiempo points out, explaining that “the majority of the population practices Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism” or is simply not close to any religion.

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8. Iran

They practice the religion of Islam and do not celebrate Christmas.

Instead, every March they wait for ‘Nouruz’ or ‘the Persian New Year. This holiday has been around for more than 3,000 years and celebrates spring’s victory over darkness,” explains National Geographic.

9. Israel

In El Comercio they point out that they don’t celebrate Christmas the right way. Life in that country revolves around the Hebrew calendar.

This year, the war that started last October further removes all thoughts of commemoration.

On December 16, 2023, Pope Francis lamented the “Christmas of pain” that will be experienced this year in the Holy Land as a result of the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip and encouraged the inhabitants of this Palestinian region “not to be left alone .” injured” by the conflict.

10. Uruguay

In this Latin American country they have ‘eliminated’ the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus by law, reports El Espectador.

And instead, this December 25 is ‘officially Family Day’. They have that reason, which is just as valid, for reuniting with loved ones.

In the Voice of America they point out that Christmas is not officially celebrated in Uruguay because “the country has maintained the separation between the state and the church for more than a century, which distances the country from specific religious influences and serves to protect the freedom of to guarantee worship. .”

But “the date is very commercial and the curious fact is that some expect gifts from the baby Jesus, whom they celebrate because of his birth, and the little ones long to see gifts from Santa Claus,” says an architect who left Caracas for Montevideo left. 2016.

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The Catholic population is a minority, Nicolás Ramallo, a Venezuelan infographer born in the southern country, where he returned with his family in 2016, told Voice of America.

In the Voice of America they stated that “although Christmas does not appear on the festive calendar, Uruguayans gather in the streets to celebrate with great enthusiasm other birthdays that also evoke family unity and decorate their balconies. “These holidays it is summer in Uruguay and warm.”

The architect, originally from Venezuela, added that there are families who usually place the Christmas tree on December 8, the day of the Immaculate Conception.

On December 24, “you spend all day in the squares because they organize great parties and then you go home to eat. The 25th is a non-working holiday.”

With information from El Comercio, El Tiempo, the Voice of America, El Espectador

(JO)