Photo: Shihab/KT
There are no rooms adorned with boughs of holly; Christmas trees with lights, garlands and tinsel; or Christmas stockings and other decorations on the walls of some UAE residents’ homes this Christmas. Some Christians do not want to celebrate Christmas or have a muted celebration because of what is happening in Gaza.
But the churches will be full and the homes filled with prayer. There will always be gatherings of friends and family to reflect on the “meaning and celebration of Christmas.”
Khaleej Schedule I spoke to Christians living in Dubai and they said: “There is no denying that this year has been more difficult than usual for many people – especially Palestinians in Gaza. »
“Instead of the usual festive celebrations, we decided to focus mainly on contemplation and prayer to convey our message of solidarity with the victims of this atrocious war,” they added.
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Real Christmas party
Lebanese expat Suzan Kazzi said: “The true celebration of Christmas by Christians is very spiritual and modest. In church we will pray for Gaza and all people in the war zones.
Susan Kazzi. Photo: Supplied
Evgheni Pogonii, from Moldova, added: “This year, Christmas for me is not only a time of joy and celebration, but also of contemplation and compassion. The situation in Gaza is tragic and I cannot remain indifferent. »
Evgheni Pogonii. Photo: Supplied
“My prayers include a wish for peace and well-being for all those suffering from conflicts and disasters around the world, especially the people of Gaza. In this special time of Christmas celebration, I am focusing on the hope for peace and assistance to those in need,” he added.
The pain is very evident among Palestinians, bordering on despair. A Palestinian mother who asked to remain anonymous said: “Christmas is my child’s favorite holiday, and our family – which is considered somewhat religious – would go to mass and celebrate a typical Christmas day. But this year we are neither excited nor even joyful.
“Christmas doesn’t seem like a celebration but it’s forced. It’s almost as if no one deserves to celebrate because of the martyrs in Gaza. Bethlehem has canceled Christmas celebrations and Ramallah probably will too.
“So we decided not to put up a Christmas tree to at least show respect and love to Gazans. To be honest, we’re still debating whether or not we want to give the kids gifts this year. We obviously don’t want to upset them, but we must teach them to respect their families in Gaza. Some families also decided not to put up their Christmas tree but instead focus on praying for the martyrs and suffering Palestinians,” she added.
Another Palestinian expat living in Dubai added: “There is no Christmas tree, no decorations, no celebrations this year. I will be with my mother, brothers and sister-in-law at home, praying for the rest of our family in Gaza who are seeking refuge in Latin and Orthodox churches.
Born on a pile of rubble
The scene of the baby Jesus not swaddled but wrapped in a Palestinian keffiyeh and born not in the manger – as traditionally depicted in the Nativity scene – but on a pile of rubble, is a brutal symbol of destruction in Gaza for Filipino expat Michelle Oribello. She said she had seen numerous photos on social media of young children being pulled from the rubble, lifeless.
The photo was tweeted by the Rev. Munther Isaac, an evangelical Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem, who said: “We did this to emphasize that Jesus stands in solidarity with those who suffered… This is our message to the world: this is what it looks like Christmas in 2017. Bethlehem. This is what Christmas looks like in Palestine, with the occupation, the destruction, the bombing of children. While the world is celebrating, our children are under the rubble. As the world celebrates, our families are displaced and their homes are destroyed. So it’s Christmas for us in Palestine. »
“This year, Christmas celebrations are canceled in Bethlehem, and for obvious reasons. It is impossible to celebrate while our people in Gaza are undergoing genocide, when children are being massacred in such a brutal manner. All church leaders in Jerusalem have decided that Christmas celebrations will be primarily prayers, with no festive celebrations,” he added.
Prayers and solidarity
A Nigerian expat is deeply affected by the war. Kenneth Chinonye Chukwuleta said: “It seems there is nothing to celebrate due to the crisis and bloodshed this year. I pray not only for the people of Gaza but also for those of Nigeria. »
Kenneth Chinonye Chukwuleta. Photo: Supplied
Sudanese expat Sarah A. Latif added: I prefer to celebrate Christmas in silence as a sign of solidarity with the difficult situation in Gaza. I find it hard to rejoice when people, especially children, are killed. I will always keep the people of Gaza in my prayers and instead of spending money on the Christmas holidays, I will send it as a donation to the people of Gaza.
Sarah A. Latif. Photo: Supplied
Estheisy Peña, from the Dominican Republic, also offers solidarity and prayers to the people of Gaza. “My heart hurts,” she said, adding: “I include them (the Palestinians) in my prayers. My wish this Christmas is a ceasefire in Gaza and freedom for its people. Above all, I wish for peace throughout the world, hoping for an end to the conflicts that are ravaging countries around the world.
Estheisy Pena. Photo: Supplied
Indian couple Jennifer and Clifford Mendonsa said: “Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Palestine. Christmas is the celebration of peace. We will include Palestine and Israel in our prayers for peace to reign in their land.
Jennifer and Clifford Mendonsa. Photo: Supplied
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