Iraqi Christians prepare to celebrate Christmas in areas liberated from ISIS
Iraqi Christians are preparing to celebrate their first Christmas together in areas liberated from ISIS, amid high security after calm has been restored following years of fear.
Iraqi Christians form an integral part of Iraq’s civilization, as they are ethnically related to nations and peoples that built the early civilizations in Mesopotamia, such as Assyrians, Chaldeans and others.
In recent years, large numbers of Iraqi Christians have departed the country and went abroad, while many others have fled their villages and cities following a wave of violence committed by ISIS, which was threatening their existence.
But today Iraqi Christians are able to celebrate openly once again, as many poured in to pray at St. Joseph's Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq.
In Sulaymaniyah, the northern Kurdish region of Iraq, some 60 to 70 displaced Christian families living in Mosul and the Nineveh plains are currently preparing for the Mass.
According to official statistics, the number of Iraqi Christians before the US invasion was about one and a half million, while today it is less than 300,000.
On Dec. 10, Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael sent a request to the head of the Iraqi parliament asking that the first day of Christmas be declared an official holiday in Iraq.
Though Iraq has not declared Dec. 25 an official holiday so far, Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government announced it will be halting schools on Tuesday for Christmas holidays.
-
On Christmas, here are five things to know about Jesus in Islam
Jesus, or Isa as he is known in Arabic, is mentioned often in the Quran and is revered Variety -
Hundreds attend lighting of Christmas tree in Gaza
Several hundred people gathered at a Christian youth association center in Gaza City on Saturday to celebrate the lighting of the Christmas tree. It ... Variety -
VIDEO: 'Silent Night'..from village ditty to global Christmas hit
Austria has something special to celebrate this festive period as it marks 200 years since the first performance of one of the world's most beloved ... Variety