The neighbor who sees fit to festoon his house with tens of thousands of lights, animals, statues, assorted animated elves and a 35 foot tall Santa can be said to have gone "over the top". In Indonesia, where for years Christmas decorations have been part and parcel of the countries "secular" nature, these sparkley, twinkleyand mood-enhancing displays are now to be banned, if not seriously curbed.
Once again, sensitivities must be given to Muslims, never the other way.
From MonstersandCritics.com Dec 23
Jakarta - Christmas decorations at shopping malls in mainly Muslim Indonesia are a little over the top, the country's Islamic body said Thursday.
Ornaments such as Christmas trees, reindeer and twinkly lights have graced malls, hotels and other public places in the capital Jakarta ahead of Christmas.
'We know that Christmas is celebrated globally, but in Indonesia where people embrace different religions, the scene is a little too much,' said Amidhan Saberah, a member of the Indonesian Council of Ulema (Muslim scholars).
Even as the community of man is acknowledged by the Ulema, they want no part of its membership.
'Meanwhile, tens of millions of Indonesians are living in poverty and some are still struggling to get back on their feet after disasters,' he said.
And seeing Christmas decorations would make it more difficult to get back on ones feet?
Muslim shop employees are often required to wear Santa Claus paraphernalia even though it might be against their religious convictions, he said.
Then don't work during Christmas, or take a job where there is no requirement to wear Christmas clothing.
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