Oil-rich Brunei has banned public celebrations of Christmas for fear of Muslims being led astray.
Residents were told that if they plan on celebrating Christmas, they could face up to five years in jail.
Punishment would apply to anyone found sending festive greetings – or wearing Santa hats, reported daily Telegraph. The ban is actually meant for Muslims celebrating Christmas.
Non-Muslims are allowed to celebrate Christmas – but they must do so only within their communities and first alert authorities.
At least 65 per cent of the 420,000-strong population of the oil-rich state are Muslims.
Around 20 per cent of Brunei's residents are non-Muslim, including substantial Buddhist and Christian communities.
'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,' said the Ministry of Religious Affairs in a statement.
Last year, the sultan caused controversy by introducing Sharia criminal law into the country.
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