The constitution and other laws and policies protect religious freedom.
The Ministry of Interior maintains an official registry of religious groups. However, it did not grant registration to some small, unaffiliated groups, and they experienced no restriction on their practices and worship. The government does not require religious groups to register but recommends that they do so to receive full constitutional protection. Religious groups are exempt from land use and construction permit fees. Registered religious groups are not automatically tax-exempt and must complete an additional formal registration process to prove that they are nonprofit organizations to be exempt from tax requirements. If recognized as a religious organization but not eligible for nonprofit status, a religious group is required to pay local taxes and customs duties on imports.
Muslim, Protestant, and Roman Catholic groups operated primary and secondary schools. These schools must register with the Ministry of Education, which is charged with ensuring that they meet the same standards required for public schools.
The government observes the following religious holidays as national holidays: All Saints’ Day, Ascension Day, Assumption Day, Christmas, Easter Sunday and Monday, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Kebir (Eid al-Adha), and Pentecost.