Christmas cheer in Baghdad

With Christmas falling this year a day after Prophet Muhammad's birthday, Baghdad is holding Christmas celebrations in a sign of brotherhood with Iraq's hard-pressed Christian community. Fireworks will illuminate the Tigris river every night of the w
PHOTO: REUTERS

With Christmas falling this year a day after Prophet Muhammad's birthday, Baghdad is holding Christmas celebrations in a sign of brotherhood with Iraq's hard-pressed Christian community. Fireworks will illuminate the Tigris river every night of the week and a 25m Christmas tree has been set up in the Zawraa public park. In Zayuna camp, in the east of the city, children listened to Christmas carols on Wednesday and danced with Santa Claus to Iraqi songs. But, though grateful, many Christians say the gesture comes too late to improve their lot in Iraq.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 25, 2015, with the headline Christmas cheer in Baghdad. Subscribe