Indonesia is home to several religious minorities, including Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and people who follow traditional beliefs. The FPI said it aimed to enforce a fatwa issued by Indonesia’s Islamic Clerical Council in 2016 prohibiting business owners from forcing employees to wear Christmas clothing. Employers forcing staff to wear Christmas clothes were violating their rights. The Islamic Clerical Council’s decrees are not legally binding but serve as guidelines for Indonesian Muslims. Christmas is widely celebrated across Indonesia and holiday decorations are ubiquitous, especially at shops, restaurants and malls where many enthusiastic workers – even Muslims – don Santa hats or elf costumes.

Source: The Express Tribune December 21, 2017 07:52 UTC