In the conservative Gulf kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ruled by Islamic law where all public non-Muslim worship is banned, Christmas trees and glittery ornaments are now being openly sold at gift shops. 

Festive sales have gradually risen in the capital city of Riyadh in recent years. Seen by most as a sign of loosening social restrictions after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged to introduce “open, moderate Islam”, Santa Claus outfits as well as tinsel and baubles adorn most gift shops.

“I didn’t ever imagine I’d see this” in Saudi Arabia, a Riyadh resident said, as per AFP reports.

“I am surprised,” the resident added.

It was almost impossible to sell such items openly in Saudi Arabia until three years ago, and for decades, Christmas sales were largely ‘underground’. 

 Christians from the Philippines, Lebanon and other countries were thus forced to celebrate behind closed doors or in expat enclaves.

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“It was very difficult to find such” Christmas items in the kingdom, said Mary, a Lebanese expat based in Riyadh who preferred to be identified by her first name, as per AFP reports.

“Many of my friends used to buy them from Lebanon or Syria and sneak them into the country,” she added.

According to AFP however, in a sign of changing scenarios, the Riyadh shop manager, Omar, who declined to provide his surname, said his store sold not just Christmas items but also outfits for Halloween — an American tradition that is seen as a deviation from Islam.

The custodian of Mecca and Medina, Islam’s two holiest sites, Saudi Arabia has long been accused of attempting to impose its ultra-conservative ‘Wahhabist Sunni doctrine’ around the world but has been slowly pushing for inter-religious exchange.