Sarajevans Protest Santa Claus Ban

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) – Hundreds of Bosnians have protested against a recent ban on Santa Claus in the city’s kindergartens.

The directors of Sarajevo’s day-care centers, kindergartens and preschools banned Santa.

They argued that the capital is predominantly Muslim and Santa Claus is not part of the Muslim tradition.

A multi-religious mix of parents, children and others blew whistles on a downtown square on Sunday and requested Santa be restored to the children.

Many protesters wore Santa Claus hats.

Santa is known locally as Father Frost and has given out presents to generations of Bosnian children in schools, kindergartens and other institutions.

This was done even during communist rule and was always tied to New Year’s celebrations.

The demonstrators say that makes it a Bosnian tradition.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)