By PoliPundit ~ December 25th, 2002 @ 1:25 pm
I’m not a christian, but Merry Christmas to all who are celebrating! It’s a good thing you don’t live in Saudi Arabia:
As evinced by the atmosphere in this Riyadh gift shop, Christmas is mostly hidden in this desert kingdom, where Islam is the only accepted religion.Expatriate workers hold discreet holiday parties within walled compounds, out of sight of the government’s religious police, who guard against offenses to the faith. For many other foreigners, the anniversary of Christ’s birth is a private day of reflection.
“I only pray in my room,” said a Roman Catholic laborer from Sri Lanka, noting there is little else to do to celebrate Christmas.
Some embassies, he said, organize gatherings for their citizens during the holiday season, but generally not on Christmas Day to avoid offending Saudi sensibilities.
Subscribe to blog feed.
3 Responses to
Trackbacks