New Year's Eve

Two people suspected of planning to carry out a suicide attack in Ankara on the New Year's Eve have been arrested by the Turkish police, Anadolu Agency reported on Wednesday.

A Muslim youth group has held an "anti-Santa" rally in Istanbul, a city where, ironically, Christians ruled hundreds of years ago. The Istanbul University branch of the group, Anatolia Youth Association (AGD), held a rally on Dec. 30 at Beyaz?t Square. Around 100 people held posters against celebrations held during New Year's Eve on the grounds that it is a Christian tradition.

Undercover Turkish police officers will step up their presence for Istanbul's New Year's Eve celebrations, as thousands of officers are set to stand guard dressed up as Santa Claus. 

According to preliminary estimates, Bulgarians spent more than BGN 6 M per hour in the last four days before Christmas.

The expectations are that Bulgarians will spend at least as much of their family budget on shopping and celebrations as they did in 2014.

Meanwhile, nearly 90 % of Bulgarians will welcome 2016 at home without travelling, private NOVA TV informs.

Belgrade starts celebrating early this year. Starting on December 29, the city hosts four days of concerts in front the National Assembly.

On December 29, the band Miligram kicks off the festivities, followed by performances on December 30 by the band Van Gogh and Serbian pop star Zeljko Joksimovic.

We have seen yet another Christmas. And some senseless reactions have, again, come from our Muslim world.

Brunei
Brunei has banned public celebrations of Christmas, violating Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Somalia
There will be no Christmas or New Year celebrations in Somalia for fear that activities could evoke Islamist attacks, according to the Muslim-majority country’s government.

I go into a rage when certain people turn up their noses at sacrificing animals on the Feast of Sacrifice? 

I go into the same level of rage when certain people drop innuendos, say a thousand things and snap at our naïve and innocent people who plan to have a fun night on New Year's, with snacks, pajamas and slippers, TV or something at home...  

With its beautiful views of the glittering New Year's Eve fireworks over the Bosphorus and Istanbul's historic skyline, the Ritz-Carlton Istanbul invites all to enjoy its biggest party of the year.

Serbians welcome in "Orthodox" New Year

BELGRADE -- Tens of thousands of people across the country on Tuesday celebrated the beginning of the new year according to the Julian calendar.

This is the calendar adhered to by the Serbian Orthodox Church, so the January 13 festivities are sometimes referred to as the Orthodox, or Serbian New Year.