Christians just like other religions across the world have special days to observe in their calendar every year.
Easter is one such holiday in the Gregorian calendar where the faithful take part in a variety of activities to commemorate their day.
It begins on Palm Sunday which marks the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem.
The entire week is referred to by the Easter-observing Christians as the Holy week which ends with a commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
It is described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD.
Good Friday is marked by the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum.
It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, and Black Friday.
But, did you know there are some countries that do not recognize this day?
Apart from Christianity, there is Islam religion, Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto, Sikhism, Taoism, among others.
These are some of the countries that do not celebrate Easter.
1-China
Most people here preach Buddhism. The few Christians (one per cent) celebrate it in their homes or churches, even though there are no holidays. Taoism, shamanism, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Dongba religion, Protestantism and Islam is also practised in the country.
2- Uzbekistan
In this Asian country, 93 per cent of the population professes Islam and is known to have one of the oldest customs in the world.
Sunni Islam is the dominant religion here, such that anyone who practices a different religion is banned.
A 2018 BBC report revealed that the most populous country in Central Asia was looking to become a second Mecca in the face of a large number of mosques and shrines, both sacred places.
3- Kazakhstan
There is a prohibition on holding any Christian activity in this country.
The main religious group is Muslim accounting for 70 per cent of the population with the Orthodox Christian at 23 per cent while the remaining 7 per cent is divided among small communities of Jews, Buddhists, Catholics, and Jehovah's Witnesses.
4- South Korea
Here, it is different because Christmas and Western New Year are celebrated, but Holy Week has never been celebrated at the level of the entire population.
5-Japan
The majority religion is Shinto, which is an animistic belief important to the customs and daily lives of the Japanese.
They have religious celebrations but not for Holy Week Christianity.
Japan has several Shinto shrines, such as the Fushimi Inari Taisha, in Kyoto or the Itsukushima on the sacred island of Miyajima (Hiroshima Prefecture).
6-Qatar
It is a country where the Christian faith is not preached for the most part. At least 70 per cent of the population is mostly Muslim.
7-Vietnam
The 2010 census revealed that the most widespread religion in the country is Buddhism, with 49 per cent of people professing it. Others are faithful to Confucianism and Taoism.
In African countries where Christians are the majority is celebrated with national holiday, church attendance, and parties among others.
