Christmas is a special holiday that allows families and friends to come together. It is a time to show love and remember the connections that bring people together, regardless of their race, tribe, religion, country of origin, or worldview. However, it is important to note that not all regions and nations celebrate Christmas.
Christmas or the festival celebration has become a holiday that is centered around Christmas day. It is a time to honor specific occasions such as the commemoration of democracy day, the birth of a founder, or other national or public holidays.
However, in some countries, Christmas is not celebrated as a holiday or special occasion. It is treated just like any other day of the week and holds no particular significance.
On the other hand, in certain nations where Christmas is not observed, it has transformed into a day similar to Valentine’s Day. It is a day for friends and lovers to express their love for one another.
10 Countries That Don’t Celebrate Christmas And Why
Below are the ten countries that don’t celebrate Christmas across the world:
1. North Korea
North Korea, a country in East Asia, does not observe Christmas. According to The Independent, Christmas in North Korea is considered insignificant. The country’s radical and authoritarian view of atheism, as described in communist theory, has led to a complete ban on all Christmas-related activities.
The North Korean authorities go to great lengths to prevent the dissemination of information about religious holidays. Those who choose not to celebrate Christmas face the severe consequences of being arrested, tortured, or even killed. Despite the prohibition, there is an exception for honoring Kim Jong-Suk, the grandmother of Kim Jong-un, on her birthday
Pilgrimages are made to Hoeryong, a town in the northeast, to celebrate the birthday of a revolutionary idol, which happens to be on Christmas Eve (the idol’s birthplace).
During his time in North Korea, the Independent Co.Uk correspondent mentioned that he was not aware of any Christians. He added, “I didn’t know any Christians or anyone who believed in God. The North Korean government controls all media and the internet, and the people I met were unaware of Jesus.”
However, this hasn’t always been the case. Before the Korean War, which divided the peninsula into a communist North and a capitalist South, Pyongyang was known as a Christian hub. Many Christian preachers were actually from the northern part of the country. Kang states, “About 60 years ago, it was a very Christian nation; people called it the ‘Jerusalem of the east’.”
2. Mongolia
Mongolia is a predominantly Buddhist nation located in East Asia. Unlike many other countries, the Mongolians do not celebrate Christmas.
In Mongolia, where Buddhism is the dominant religion, there is a small Christian population, and Christmas is not recognized as a public holiday. However, the Mongolian Lunar New Year, known as Tsagaan Sar, is widely celebrated over three days at the beginning of the first lunar month. Additionally, January 1st is a public holiday in Mongolia.
According to the most recent national census conducted in 2020, as reported in the US Department of State Report, 40.6% of respondents aged 15 and above stated that they do not follow any religion, while 59.4% identified themselves as religious.
According to the data, Buddhists account for 87.1 percent of individuals who have stated their religious affiliation, while Muslims make up 5.4 percent. Additionally, 4.2 percent of people identify as Shamanists, 2.2 percent as Christians, and 1.1 percent as followers of other religions.
The majority of Buddhists adhere to the Mahayana school of thought. Many individuals who practice shamanism also incorporate it into their religious beliefs, particularly Buddhism. Most Christians in the country are Protestants, with the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Church of Jesus Christ) being two other Christian institutions present.
3. Brunei
The small Islamic kingdom of Brunei, known for its wealth from oil, has banned public Christmas celebrations since 2015. Breaking this law can result in a prison sentence of up to five years, a fine of $20,000 USD, or both.
The majority of Brunei’s population, which is made up of Muslims, are allowed to celebrate Christmas within their own communities. However, non-Muslims are not permitted to share their plans with them. The Ministry of Religious Affairs in Brunei states that these regulations aim to control excessive and open Christmas celebrations, which could potentially harm the beliefs of the Muslim community.
4. Afghanistan
Afghanistan, a predominantly Muslim nation, has faced significant difficulties in its relationship with Christianity and the observance of Christian holidays. Despite the passage of two decades, there is little evidence to suggest that the Taliban has undergone any significant changes. This issue was particularly pronounced during the Taliban regime in the 1990s, as noted by John Pontifex of The Times.
With the extremist organization once again in power, tensions between Christians and followers of other minority faiths in Afghanistan are expected to persist. Pontifex described the recent takeover as a “catastrophe” for Catholic institutions operating in the country. In this nation, the celebration of Christmas is extremely rare, and those who do choose to observe it face the risk of persecution.
5. Pakistan
Pakistan, an Islamic state with a small Christian population, faces challenges when it comes to celebrating Christmas. The Christian community in the country, although small, lives in constant insecurity and fears for their safety during the festive season, as reported by the news website Parhlo.
December 25th is observed as a public holiday in Pakistan, but it is not due to Christmas. This day is dedicated to honoring Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the esteemed founder of Pakistan.
6. Comoros Island
The island nation of Comoros in the Indian Ocean is predominantly Sunni Muslim, with 98% of its population adhering to this faith. As a result, Christianity is strongly opposed in Comoros. In 2018, a referendum declared Sunni Islam as the official religion of the country. This decision was expected to have a significant impact on the small Christian minority in Comoros, according to World Watch Monitor.
Practicing Christianity openly is not allowed in Comoros, and the country has been listed on the World Watch list for persecuting Christians for the past 22 years, as reported by WorldAtlas. It is worth noting that Comoros is one of the nations that does not observe Christmas.
7. China
China is one of the countries where Christmas is not officially celebrated or recognized as a public holiday. Instead, it is considered just another regular working day. This is because China has a secular government that does not prioritize the observance of religious holidays.
In fact, Christmas used to be completely banned in China. However, in 2018, the government started to crack down on the celebration of Christmas and encouraged the promotion of traditional Chinese culture instead. This is because Christmas is primarily seen as a Christian festival that commemorates the birth of Jesus, and only a small percentage (3-5%) of the Chinese population identifies as Christians.
Despite the lack of religious significance, Christmas in China has become more of a secular holiday focused on feasting and shopping. Many malls and businesses take advantage of the season by offering special deals to attract customers.
Unlike in Western countries where Christmas is a time for family gatherings, in China, it is more akin to Valentine’s Day. It is a day for young people to go out with their partners and exchange small gifts. They may also spend time shopping, watching movies, or singing at karaoke bars with friends. The significance of this day lies in commemorating the anniversary of the 1947 Constitution of the Republic of China.
8. Israel
Israel does not celebrate Christmas as extensively as other countries despite being the birth place of Jesus Christ. This is mainly due to the small Christian population (1.9%) and the fact that it is not recognized as a national holiday. As a result, Christmas is not widely observed in Israel.
Despite being a popular destination for pilgrims who visit the holy city each year, Israel is one of the countries that does not celebrate Christmas. It is interesting to note that the Christian story takes place in Israel and Jesus Christ, the central figure of the festival, was predicted to be born there around 2000 years ago.
9. Tunisia
In Tunisia, it is not illegal to celebrate Christmas. However, there are very few public events held on this day, and most people continue with their regular work. Interestingly, Tunisia is one of the few countries in the world that recognizes Christmas as a holiday, even if it is not traditionally celebrated by the majority of its population.
10. Libya
In Libya, Christmas is not celebrated due to the significant Muslim population. However, there is still a reason to rejoice as December 24th is recognized as National Independence Day. Unlike other countries, Libya does not officially observe Christmas or designate it as a public holiday.
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