Christmas trees still 'not allowed' for import to Saudi Arabia: reports

Christmas trees are banned from being imported into Saudi Arabia, according to media reports.

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) had confirmed the ban, saying that the trees are a symbol of non-Muslim faiths, the local Alwatan newspaper reported.

Some Saudi commentators have rejected the ban, which comes amid a liberalisation of some social laws in the kingdom, such as Halloween celebrations, pop concerts, and other entertainment.

"Is our religion so fragile that souls are affected by a tree, or even the world's participation in celebrating the birthday of a messenger the miracle of whose birth we recognise?" tweeted Saudi journalist Turki Al-Hamad on Monday in response to the ban.

"Saudi Arabia today presents itself as a country of tolerance and accommodation to all religions and sects. Does a decision like this help paint that picture? I don't think so."

A news agency report carried by several Arabic-language outlets said ZATCA had stated that it was "not allowed to import Christmas trees or any other signs belonging to religions other than the Islamic faith".

The report said ZATCA posted the press statement to Twitter on Saturday following a question from a Saudi woman.

The tweet could not be located, but several other little-known websites reported on a similar post confirming that Christmas trees were a "banned" import.

This post seems to have to been made on Friday in response to a question posed by a woman and, despite being worded differently, appeared to convey the same message.

The tweet appears to have been deleted and The New Arab could not verify its contents or date. It was not known who removed the post or why and the authority did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Saudi state-owned TV channel Al-Ekhbariya uploaded a video to YouTube and Twitter on Sunday also reporting ZATCA had confirmed a ban.

PHOTOS: Dozen of Palestinians in Gaza - both Muslim and Christian - gathered for the illumination of a Christmas tree to mark the beginning of festive celebrations in the impoverished enclave 👇https://t.co/nrreI10pAH

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) December 13, 2021

A separate tweet from ZATCA posted on Christmas Day last year that said importing Christmas trees was forbidden was later deleted, The New Arab can confirm. It was not known who was responsible for the deletion or why or when it occurred.

Despite the reported ban on importing Christmas trees, Riyadh recently saw public Halloween celebrations – scenes that in the past would not have been allowed.

Four years ago, arrests were made after Saudi police raided a Halloween party in the capital.

Valentine's Day celebrations have also been permitted in Saudi Arabia in recent years after an official and religious ban on the event.

Even so, minority religious groups, including Christians and Shia Muslims, suffer serious discrimination in the conservative Sunni-majority kingdom. There has also been a crackdown on political dissent, including secular activists.

The New Arab has contacted ZATCA and the Saudi embassy to the UK for comment.