by Ayaan from Djibouti City asks Santa about a name he heard, learns about Djibouti’s strategic location on the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, and hears about the country’s small Christian community
Dear Santa, my name is Ayaan and I am nine years old. I live in Djibouti City, in Djibouti, where my abo says ships from all over the world pass right by our coast every single day, more than almost anywhere else nearby.
Dear Ayaan, I have watched those exact ships pass by myself, and your abo’s observation is entirely accurate.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, is there a Christmas Abbott? I heard the name somewhere but was not sure if it connected to the holiday at all.
That sounds like it might simply be someone’s name rather than anything connected to the holiday itself, Ayaan. Names can be wonderfully surprising sometimes, holiday-sounding or not.
My second question is about our location. My teacher says our country sits along a very important narrow strait between two seas. Is that true?
It is, Ayaan. Djibouti sits along the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, a critically important passage connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, making it one of the busiest shipping routes in the entire world. Flying over that narrow, historic waterway each Christmas Eve is genuinely fascinating.
My third question is, why does my small Christian friend’s family celebrate Christmas quietly, since most people in Djibouti, like my own family, are Muslim?
Djibouti is home to a small but respected Christian community, Ayaan, able to celebrate Christmas meaningfully and respectfully, even though most of the country follows other beautiful traditions. I have always admired how thoughtfully Djibouti makes room for different beliefs to be honored peacefully.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Ayaan Ismail
Djibouti City, Djibouti
P.S. Do you count all those passing ships from the sleigh?
I try to, Ayaan, though I confess I sometimes lose count.
