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The most wonderful time? Christmas in a troubled Middle East

Published December 20th, 2016 - 07:55 GMT

As we near the end of December, the Middle East’s estimated twelve million Christians are busy preparing for Christmas celebrations. Families typically enjoy rich lamb dishes, gift-giving and indulging in sweet treats to mark the festival of the birth of Jesus. In Lebanon, Christians grow seeds on cotton wool, a bonfire of dried thorns is burnt in Iraq and Jordanian Christians enjoy a slice of boozy Christmas cake.

However, 2016 has been a difficult year for many of the region, including its Christian communities, and the events of this turbulent twelve months will inevitably put a damper on celebrations this time. Here are some of places where Christmas will not be a period of peace and joy this year.

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Christmas 2016 might be canceled in Alexandria, Egypt. Its churches are reportedly considering holding only ordinary prayers during the usually festive season. This, in solidarity with Copts in Cairo, targeted by a bomb attack last week. The city’s Saints Church was itself targeted in the 2011 New Year’s Eve bombing.

Christmas 2016 might be canceled in Alexandria, Egypt. Its churches are reportedly considering holding only ordinary prayers during the usually festive season. This, in solidarity with Copts in Cairo, targeted by a bomb attack last week. The city’s Saints Church was itself targeted in the 2011 New Year’s Eve bombing.

Bethlehem typically puts on a show at Christmas time, with a huge tree in Manger Square, and a Christmas Eve procession. None of this erases the struggles of occupation facing the West Bank town, symbolized by the Her Homa Israeli settlement which looms from the opposite hill, and the partition wall which chokes Aida Camp.

Bethlehem typically puts on a show at Christmas time, with a huge tree in Manger Square, and a Christmas Eve procession. None of this erases the struggles of occupation facing the West Bank town, symbolized by the Her Homa Israeli settlement which looms from the opposite hill, and the partition wall which chokes Aida Camp.

Fuheis is usually at the heart of Jordanian Christmas celebrations, but this year its planned seasonal events have been abandoned following Sunday’s deadly shootings in Karak. Elsewhere in the Kingdom, Madaba and al-Hussen's Christmas trees, planned to be lit up later this week, will instead remain darkened in mourning for the ten Karak victims.

Fuheis is usually at the heart of Jordanian Christmas celebrations, but this year its planned seasonal events have been abandoned following Sunday’s deadly shootings in Karak. Elsewhere in the Kingdom, Madaba and al-Hussen's Christmas trees, planned to be lit up later this week, will instead remain darkened in mourning for the ten Karak victims.

Iraq’s Christians have faced a difficult few years under the shadow of Daesh. Since the beginning of the Mosul offensive many have returned to the now destroyed or vandalized churches they fled two years ago. In happier news, a Muslim businessman has erected a massive Christmas tree in Baghdad to help Iraqis “forget their anguish” over Daesh.

Iraq’s Christians have faced a difficult few years under the shadow of Daesh. Since the beginning of the Mosul offensive many have returned to the now destroyed or vandalized churches they fled two years ago. In happier news, a Muslim businessman has erected a massive Christmas tree in Baghdad to help Iraqis “forget their anguish” over Daesh.

Devastated last week by a massive blast which left 25 dead, Cairo’s Coptic Cathedral has announced that it will be renovated in time for Christmas celebrations on January 7. Whether the congregation who lost so many of their own, and many of whom were injured in the explosion, will feel like celebrating is another matter.

Devastated last week by a massive blast which left 25 dead, Cairo’s Coptic Cathedral has announced that it will be renovated in time for Christmas celebrations on January 7. Whether the congregation who lost so many of their own, and many of whom were injured in the explosion, will feel like celebrating is another matter.

In Syria’s Aleppo, several churches have been damaged after months of fighting, including exchanges of rocket fire and shelling. After five years of civil war, many Syrians will spend Christmas as refugees, far away from home. In a recent letter, the Vatican itself called for unifying efforts to “end the war in Syria and restore peace”.

In Syria’s Aleppo, several churches have been damaged after months of fighting, including exchanges of rocket fire and shelling. After five years of civil war, many Syrians will spend Christmas as refugees, far away from home. In a recent letter, the Vatican itself called for unifying efforts to “end the war in Syria and restore peace”.

Christmas 2016 might be canceled in Alexandria, Egypt. Its churches are reportedly considering holding only ordinary prayers during the usually festive season. This, in solidarity with Copts in Cairo, targeted by a bomb attack last week. The city’s Saints Church was itself targeted in the 2011 New Year’s Eve bombing.
Bethlehem typically puts on a show at Christmas time, with a huge tree in Manger Square, and a Christmas Eve procession. None of this erases the struggles of occupation facing the West Bank town, symbolized by the Her Homa Israeli settlement which looms from the opposite hill, and the partition wall which chokes Aida Camp.
Fuheis is usually at the heart of Jordanian Christmas celebrations, but this year its planned seasonal events have been abandoned following Sunday’s deadly shootings in Karak. Elsewhere in the Kingdom, Madaba and al-Hussen's Christmas trees, planned to be lit up later this week, will instead remain darkened in mourning for the ten Karak victims.
Iraq’s Christians have faced a difficult few years under the shadow of Daesh. Since the beginning of the Mosul offensive many have returned to the now destroyed or vandalized churches they fled two years ago. In happier news, a Muslim businessman has erected a massive Christmas tree in Baghdad to help Iraqis “forget their anguish” over Daesh.
Devastated last week by a massive blast which left 25 dead, Cairo’s Coptic Cathedral has announced that it will be renovated in time for Christmas celebrations on January 7. Whether the congregation who lost so many of their own, and many of whom were injured in the explosion, will feel like celebrating is another matter.
In Syria’s Aleppo, several churches have been damaged after months of fighting, including exchanges of rocket fire and shelling. After five years of civil war, many Syrians will spend Christmas as refugees, far away from home. In a recent letter, the Vatican itself called for unifying efforts to “end the war in Syria and restore peace”.
Christmas 2016 might be canceled in Alexandria, Egypt. Its churches are reportedly considering holding only ordinary prayers during the usually festive season. This, in solidarity with Copts in Cairo, targeted by a bomb attack last week. The city’s Saints Church was itself targeted in the 2011 New Year’s Eve bombing.
Christmas 2016 might be canceled in Alexandria, Egypt. Its churches are reportedly considering holding only ordinary prayers during the usually festive season. This, in solidarity with Copts in Cairo, targeted by a bomb attack last week. The city’s Saints Church was itself targeted in the 2011 New Year’s Eve bombing.
Bethlehem typically puts on a show at Christmas time, with a huge tree in Manger Square, and a Christmas Eve procession. None of this erases the struggles of occupation facing the West Bank town, symbolized by the Her Homa Israeli settlement which looms from the opposite hill, and the partition wall which chokes Aida Camp.
Bethlehem typically puts on a show at Christmas time, with a huge tree in Manger Square, and a Christmas Eve procession. None of this erases the struggles of occupation facing the West Bank town, symbolized by the Her Homa Israeli settlement which looms from the opposite hill, and the partition wall which chokes Aida Camp.
Fuheis is usually at the heart of Jordanian Christmas celebrations, but this year its planned seasonal events have been abandoned following Sunday’s deadly shootings in Karak. Elsewhere in the Kingdom, Madaba and al-Hussen's Christmas trees, planned to be lit up later this week, will instead remain darkened in mourning for the ten Karak victims.
Fuheis is usually at the heart of Jordanian Christmas celebrations, but this year its planned seasonal events have been abandoned following Sunday’s deadly shootings in Karak. Elsewhere in the Kingdom, Madaba and al-Hussen's Christmas trees, planned to be lit up later this week, will instead remain darkened in mourning for the ten Karak victims.
Iraq’s Christians have faced a difficult few years under the shadow of Daesh. Since the beginning of the Mosul offensive many have returned to the now destroyed or vandalized churches they fled two years ago. In happier news, a Muslim businessman has erected a massive Christmas tree in Baghdad to help Iraqis “forget their anguish” over Daesh.
Iraq’s Christians have faced a difficult few years under the shadow of Daesh. Since the beginning of the Mosul offensive many have returned to the now destroyed or vandalized churches they fled two years ago. In happier news, a Muslim businessman has erected a massive Christmas tree in Baghdad to help Iraqis “forget their anguish” over Daesh.
Devastated last week by a massive blast which left 25 dead, Cairo’s Coptic Cathedral has announced that it will be renovated in time for Christmas celebrations on January 7. Whether the congregation who lost so many of their own, and many of whom were injured in the explosion, will feel like celebrating is another matter.
Devastated last week by a massive blast which left 25 dead, Cairo’s Coptic Cathedral has announced that it will be renovated in time for Christmas celebrations on January 7. Whether the congregation who lost so many of their own, and many of whom were injured in the explosion, will feel like celebrating is another matter.
In Syria’s Aleppo, several churches have been damaged after months of fighting, including exchanges of rocket fire and shelling. After five years of civil war, many Syrians will spend Christmas as refugees, far away from home. In a recent letter, the Vatican itself called for unifying efforts to “end the war in Syria and restore peace”.
In Syria’s Aleppo, several churches have been damaged after months of fighting, including exchanges of rocket fire and shelling. After five years of civil war, many Syrians will spend Christmas as refugees, far away from home. In a recent letter, the Vatican itself called for unifying efforts to “end the war in Syria and restore peace”.

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