'Tis the season! Christmas celebrated across the world
Each year more and more Christians are coming out and brazing the security threats to celebrate Christmas and an increasing number of Iraq’s Muslims join the revelry in solidarity with them
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With the peel of midnight bells, people around the world celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ heralding the Christmas celebrations which will culminate with New Year’s celebration. In India’s Moradabad, children dressed up as Santa Claus to take part in Christmas celebrations on Saturday. PTI
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At the Vatican city, the Nativity scene, background centre, and a Christmas tree adorned the St. Peter’s Square. However, the Christmas celebrations struck a sombre note in light of the tragic events, wars and humanitarian crisis in various parts of the world. Pope Francis urged the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics to feel compassion for children, notably victims of war, migration and homelessness in his Christmas Eve mass.
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Addressing a 10,000-strong crowd late on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square, the pontiff urged worshippers to think of the children “hiding underground to escape bombardment”, in apparent reference to Syria. AP
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In Russia, many brazed the freezing temperatures and took part in traditional revelry. People gathered at the Dvortsovaya (Palace) square decorated for upcoming New Year and Christmas celebrations in St.Petersburg, on the Christmas eve. AP
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Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost, the Russian Santa Claus) rode a quad bike this year as he arrived for the festivities of incoming New Year and Christmas at the Dvortsovaya (Palace) Square in St.Petersburg. AP
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In Turkey, people offered their prayers and lit candles prior to a Christmas Eve mass in Sent Antuan church, the largest church of the Roman Catholic Church in Istanbul. AP
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An Iraqi Christian family decorates a Christmas tree at their house in Basra, 550 kilometers southeast of Baghdad. Iraq’s Christian community has steadily dwindled since the 2003 US-led invasion. Christians have been targeted by Islamic extremists on several occasions, and have also fled the country for better economic opportunities. AP
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Once home to thousands of Assyrian Christian’s, in Iraq the Christian community has dwindled steadily in the wake of increasing attacks on the minority community by the dreaded Islamic State. However, according to local media reports, each year more and more Christians are coming out and brazing the security threats to celebrate the spirit of Christmas and an increasing number of Iraq’s Muslims join the revelry to stand in solidarity with them. AP
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Meanwhile, in debt-ridden Greece, Christmas celebrations remained sombre in the face of the ongoing economic crisis. Finance Minister Euclide Tsakalotos sent Christmas cards featuring the tight-fisted Dickensian protagonist of “A Christmas Carol”, Ebenezer Scrooge, in a jibe to the country’s creditors. AP
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However, in Albania’s capital Tirana it was all joy and gaiety as the city’s Mother Teresa Square in central Tirana was decked up with Christmas decorations. People took selfies and enjoyed the festivities on the Christmas. AP
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