General view of the Jame’asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque during a mass prayer session in Bandar Seri Begawan, in this March 13, 2014 file photo.

The Sultanate of Brunei and Somalia have banned Christmas festivities.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the world’s richest men, announced last year he would push ahead with the introduction of Shariah, eventually including tough penalties.

Religious leaders in the country warned this month that a ban on Christmas would be strictly enforced for fear that Muslims could be led astray.

“Using religious symbols like crosses, lighting candles, putting up Christmas trees, singing religious songs, sending Christmas greetings… are against Islamic faith,” imams said in sermons published in the press.

Punishment for violating the ban is a five-year jail sentence, and the government warned last year that Muslims would be committing an offense if they so much as wore “hats or clothes that resemble Santa Claus.”

Although Christians are free to celebrate, they have been told not to do so “excessively and openly,” in a directive that has had a chilling effect on the Southeast Asian nation, which sits on a corner of Borneo island.

Businesses have been warned to take decorations down and authorities have stepped up spot checks. Hotels popular among Western tourists that once boasted dazzling lights and giant Christmas trees are now barren of festive decor.

Somalia’s government has said celebrations of the New Year and Christmas might attract attacks from radicals. “All events related to Christmas and New Year celebrations are contrary to Islamic culture, which could damage the faith of the Muslim community,” the director general of the religious affairs ministry said.

Sheikh Mohamed Khayrow said security forces had been ordered to break up any such celebrations. “There should be no activity at all,” he said.

Sheikh Nur Barud Gurhan, of the Supreme Religious Council of Somalia, said that non-Muslim festivities might provoke the ire of the Al-Shabab, East Africa’s Al-Qaeda branch, which is headquartered in Somalia.

“We are warning against the celebration of such events which are not relevant to the principles of our religion,” Gurhan added, saying it could provoke the Al-Shabab “to carry out attacks.”

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