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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
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