Dec 27, 2021: Saudi Arabia has said that importing the Christmas tree is banned, dispelling rumours that the famed festive feature is allowed into the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has denied media reports of importing Christmas tree and Santa Claus costumes. The Saudi Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority says it is forbidden to import any religious symbol other than the Christmas tree or Islam. The statement came in response to a Twitter user’s question about whether the Christmas tree is now allowed to enter the country.

Following rumours about Christmas trees being imported in the kingdom, an announcement was made by the Saudi Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), responding to a question about the permissibility of the tree in the kingdom.

The statement by ZACTA said, “Importation of the Christmas tree or any other non-Islamic symbols is banned.”

Earlier, foreign media outlets reported that Christmas trees, decorations and Santa Claus clothes were now being sold at stores in the oil-rich country.

Christian foreigners working in Saudi Arabia, especially from Lebanon and the Philippines, are accustomed to celebrating Christmas behind closed doors. Saudi Arabia has seen rapid social, cultural and economic changes in recent years, initiated by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.

Foreign media reports had earlier said that Christmas decorations and gift products are available in shops in Saudi Arabia amid unprecedented Christmas-time displays as part of dramatic reforms in the kingdom and openness to the outside world. Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam.

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