Easter is an important holiday for Christians, which symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated every year in different countries, mainly on Sunday after the spring equinox. The celebration begins with a rustious Sunday and lasts the whole passionate week, including Holy Friday – the day of the crucifixion of Christ.
For believers, this is a period of spiritual purification, prayer and joy. In Christian traditions, this week is one of the most important this year. However, not all countries are recognized in all countries, and sometimes prohibited.
OBOZ.UA compiled a list of the largest countries where they do not celebrate Easter:
- Somalia
- Mauritania
- Mongolia
- Algeria
- Libya
- China
- Uzbekistan
- Kazakhstan
- South Korea
- Japan
- Qatar
- Vietnam
Why do some countries do not celebrate Easter
In a number of Muslim states, such as Somalia, Mauritania, Algeria and LibyaThe official religion is Islam. The laws of these countries prohibit the spread of other religions, and Easter celebration can be considered as a manifestation of someone else’s faith. For example, c Mauritania There are even laws that punish apostasy from Islam, although in practice they are not always used. There are no official Christian holidays in these countries, and the public opening of faith can be limited or prohibited.
In many Asian countries, Easter is also not noted. China, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan – Examples of states in which Buddhism or Islam prevail. In China, Christian holidays are mostly private. In Uzbekistan, the celebration of other religions, except for Sunni Islam, is considered unacceptable. Even in Kazakhstan, where some of the population are Orthodox Christians, Easter does not have the status of a national holiday.
IN Japan Shintoism is a religion that is not related to Christian traditions. Here, official holidays are associated with nature, ancestors and local customs. Easter is not considered significant, and most of the Japanese are not even familiar with its essence. IN South Korea The situation is similar – although part of the population is Christians, the holiday is not recognized at the state level. Easter is not included in the official weekend calendar.
IN Katari and other countries of the Persian Gulf Christian faith is not formally prohibited, but its manifestations are strictly regulated. About 70% of the population of Katarra are Muslims, and religious life is mainly concentrated around Islam. Christians have the right to worship, but only in specially chosen places and without public demonstration. Therefore, Easter in such states is noted exclusively in a closed circle.
IN Mongolia Buddhism prevails, and only a small part of the population declares Christianity. There are only a few churches in the country, and Easter celebration is very modest. From a small number of believers and cultural isolation, Christian traditions do not have a significant impact on public life. This makes Easter almost invisible in the religious calendar of the country.
IN Vietnam Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism are most common. The Christian religion is a rare occurrence, and Easter does not have official status. Although the freedom of religion operates in the country, traditionally eastern religions play an important role in culture and festive calendar.
Most countries where they do not celebrate Easter strive to maintain unity in the dominant religion. In such societies, the state and religious spheres are closely connected, which affects the lack of recognition of Christian holidays. The governments of such states believe that in honor of the holidays of another religion, cultural or political dissonance can cause. This explains why even the innocent celebration of Easter can be perceived as a violation of standards.
It is worth noting that not all Africa belongs to the list of countries where Easter is not celebrated. In many African states, where Christianity is a leading religion, Easter is widely celebrated: with church services, family holidays and holidays. For example, c Nigeria, Kenya or South Africa This day is an official weekend.
The main reason why some states do not celebrate Easter is religious domination and control by the authorities. The traditions, social norms and historical features of the country are also of great importance. Public celebration of Easter is often considered as a manifestation of someone else’s ideology. From this, Christians in such countries are forced to celebrate unnoticed.
Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote the Council of the Capital Drabinko at the celebration of Easter.
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Source: Obozrevatel
I have been working as a journalist for over 10 years. In that time, I have covered the news from all corners of the world, and written about everything from politics to business.I’m now a full-time author, and my work can be found at Global happenings. My aim is to bring you up-to-date news and views on global affairs, in a format that is easy to read and understand.
