Brunei: December 22, 2015. The leaders of Brunei have brought in a rule that could bring lot of damage to the citizens if they celebrate the birth of Christ publicly. According to leading media reports, the Sultan of Brunei has officially declared that people seen celebrating Christmas Day or wearing Santa Claus in public, will be put behind the bars for five years. This rule has been implemented in the oil-rich nation so that the beliefs of the Muslim community are not damaged. But the non-Muslims in the tiny country of Brunei could celebrate Christmas but only within their communities. The citizens are of Brunei are not even allowed to sending season’s greetings to their near and dear ones. They would be punished if found doing even that. The celebrations are allowed only on the condition that it is not disclosed to Muslim members of the country. (ALSO READ: Narendra Modi meets Brunei Sultan, Singapore Prime Minister) It looks like the non-Muslims are going to have a tough time celebrating Christmas. It is a season of joy that is celebrated with everyone. But sadly, the restrictions imposed might affect the celebrations too. The Ministry of Religious Affairs said in a statement, “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.” This statement was published in Brunei Times reports The Sydney Morning Herald. (ALSO READ: Taylor Swift’s perfect Christmas surprise for cancer patient) The Borneo Bulletin quotes the Imams saying that Muslims lighting candles, putting up Christmas trees, singing carols, wearing Santa Claus outfits or doing anything related to Christmas is against the Islamic faith. Hassanal Bolkiah is the 29th and current Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei.