Christians in Qaraqosh will not celebrate Christmas this year

MOSUL, December 13 — Christians in the town of Qaraqosh, also known as Bakhdida, have opted not to celebrate Christmas this year out of respect for the victims of a tragic fire at a wedding in Al-Hamdaniya in September that claimed over 100 lives.

Zaya Shaba, the Bishop of Hermota and Ainkawa and a member of the Catholic Court, conveyed to 964 that each locality, delineated by its geographical boundaries, hosts its own churches, and Qaraqosh has decided not to celebrate Christmas this year.

Elsewhere, the leaders of Iraq’s churches issued an announcement in November saying public Christmas celebrations would be cancelled this year in solidarity with Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza amid ongoing attacks by Israel.