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  • Iran's Christians celebrate New Year

    Iran's Christians celebrate New Year
    Political Desk

    On Line: 01 January 2015 07:09
    In Print: Friday 02 January 2015


    TEHRAN - As Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, the
    holiday season is also observed in Iran, a predominantly Muslim nation
    where Christians make up some 1% of the country's approximate
    population of 77.5 million, the Al-Monitor said in an article.

    Christmas trees decorated with red, green, and gold gift boxes placed
    behind shop windows or at the entrances of different shopping malls
    and hotels can be seen across Christian neighborhoods of Iran, it
    added.

    According to the Statistical Center of Iran (SCI), over 117,000
    Christians reside in Iran, most of whom are Armenians who are
    followers of the Oriental Orthodox branch of Christianity. More than
    46,000 members of this minority group live in Tehran. Assyrians,
    Catholics, Protestants, and Evangelical Christians make up the
    remainder of Iran's Christian population.

    Despite being a minority, Iran's Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians
    are recognized as established religious minorities and are represented
    in parliament, and enjoy freedom to practice their religions and
    perform their religious rituals.

    "You cannot celebrate Christmas in any Islamic country the way we do
    in Iran," Rafi Moradians, an Iranian Armenian in Tehran, told
    Al-Monitor. Referring to the community's exclusive sport and cultural
    club, Rafi said, "Authorities do not impose any restrictions on us. We
    attend church services and there are also special celebrations at the
    Ararat Club."

    In recent years, municipal authorities have also put up banners
    celebrating the birth of Jesus on many main streets and at the St.
    Sarkis Armenian Church on Villa Avenue, where a service is held every
    year.

    Unlike other countries in the region where public celebration of
    Christmas is limited to hotels frequented by foreigners, there is no
    such restriction in Tehran.

    Ordinary Iranians are not alone in the holiday celebrations and in
    exchanging greetings at Christmas time. This year, President Hassan
    Rouhani sent season's greetings to Pope Francis and world leaders.
    Through his Twitter account, Rouhani reached out to Christians around
    the globe, as well as those in Iran.

    "May Jesus Christ, the prophet of peace and love, bless us all on this
    day. Wishing Merry #Christmas to those celebrating, esp #Iranian
    Christians," he tweeted.

    Also, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif used his 100th
    tweet to express hope for a more peaceful 2015.

    The Twitter account belonging to the office of Supreme Leader
    Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei also featured a series of messages on
    the occasion of Christmas. One of the messages read: "It's time for
    all caring Muslims, Christians & Jews to obey the prophets & truly
    honor #Jesus' birthday by standing up against Israeli crimes."

    MD/PA
    http://www.tehrantimes.com/component/content/article/120651

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