Newsfeed
Christmas in Syria is an inspiring display of Muslims and Christians mingling in peace
Author: Zaher Sahloul
Publication Date: 23/12/2021
Source: Chicago Tribune
If Jesus Christ descends from heaven to earth, he will be able to speak in his native language only to the people of three Syrian villages northwest of Damascus. The Christian village of Malula and its neighboring Muslim villages, Jabadeen and Bakhaa, represent the last outposts of spoken Aramaic, which was the language Jesus spoke in Galilee two millenniums ago. As a Syrian Muslim, I, like all Syrians, cherish that fact.
A Christmas event took place at the Archdiocese of Qatar
Publication Date: 21/12/2021
Source: Orthodox Times
A Christmas event with an artistic programme from various local traditions took place at the Archdiocese of Qatar Headquarters before the Cathedral, on Friday, December 17, 2021.
A dark Christmas for Christians in Syria
Publication Date: 23/12/2021
Source: La Croix International
In front of the nativity of Saint Elijah Maronite Cathedral in the Syrian city of Aleppo, Hana (first name has been changed) solemnly declares words from Sobhan al Kaliba an Arabic Christmas hymn: Glory to the word of God who is born!
Iraq's Christians observe Christmas celebrations with fear and anxiety
Author: Sinan Mahmoud
Publication Date: 23/12/2021
Source: The National News
Iraq’s political and security turmoil, coupled with economic strains, have cast a shadow on Christmas and New Year celebrations, leaving the country’s dwindling Christian community gloomy and disappointed.
The Kurdish region has been a peaceful oasis for Christians fleeing persecution in other parts of Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein and unleashed a tidal wave of sectarian violence.
Not so merry: Kuwait MPs demand removal of Christmas festive displays 'to protect Islamic identity'
Author: Rose Chacko (translated by)
Publication Date: 23/12/2021
Source: The New Arab
With the Christmas season well underway, festive decorations are once again causing a stir in Kuwait, in particular the giant, bauble-decked Christmas trees which have been put up in shopping centres and public spaces. Some support the sparkling decorations, while others oppose them, claiming they are incompatible with Kuwait’s religion, customs and traditions.
Bahrain: New Cathedral to hold first Arabic mass on Christmas
Publication Date: 23/12/2021
Source: Bahrain: New Cathedral to hold first Arabic mass on Christmas
The first Arabic mass at the Kingdom’s newly-inaugurated Cathedral will be held on Christmas Day. This was confirmed by Father Fayad Charbel of the Sacred Heart Church in Manama.
Christians in Oman gloomy as Omicron overshadows Christmas
Author: Saleh Al Shaibany
Publication Date: 22/12/2021
Source: The National News
The 300,000 Christians who live in Oman are disappointed that they will have to celebrate a quiet Christmas in their own homes.
The sultanate will limit gatherings to curb the spread of Omicron, the Covid-19 variant that has shocked scientists with how quickly it can spread.
Iraq: No church, no community, no future spouses for Sinjar’s only Christian returnees
Author: Tom Westcott
Publication Date: 23/12/2021
Source: Middle East Eyes
For the sole Christian family to have returned to Sinjar, three years after the Islamic State group (IS) committed genocide in the ancestral homeland of Iraq’s Yazidis, Christmas is truly a special time.
With the area’s only church left in ruins by the militant group, it is the only time in the year they are able to attend church, and they have been planning their trip for months.
In Iraq, Christmas is becoming many Muslims' favorite new holiday
Author: Cathrin Schaer
Publication Date: 23/12/2021
Source: Deutsche Welle
Iraqi woman Kholoud Khardoum suspects she was the one who introduced Christmas to her village in southern Iraq. It all started six years ago with a small plastic Christmas tree and some gifts for her nieces and nephews during a visit home, the Iraqi journalist, who resides in Baghdad, recounted.
Iraq: Bomb Attack On Catholic Shopkeeper Attacked
Publication Date: 6/12/2021
Source: Exaudi
A bomb attack on the home of a Catholic shopkeeper in southern Iraq has been condemned by the head of the country’s largest Church, who has said that such attacks have driven an exodus of Christians.
According to police, a motorcyclist threw a homemade explosive at the Chaldean Catholic shopkeeper’s house in Amarah, capital of Maysan Governorate, on Sunday (28th November).
