Holiday decorations go up across Baghdad as festivities are cancelled

BAGHDAD, December 26 — Baghdad municipality teams began installing holiday trees and decorations in various parts of the capital on Monday as officials prepared to mark the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Despite the decorations, officials have said they would cancel festive celebrations this year as a gesture of respect for the victims of the Hamdaniya wedding fire and in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The municipality issued a statement which read:

Engineer Ammar Musa Kazem, the Mayor of Baghdad, extended greetings to the Christian community in Iraq and worldwide on the occasion of Christmas and the New Year.

Mayor Kazem affirmed that the municipality continues its efforts and vital projects to restore the glory of Baghdad, change its urban landscape, and meet the requirements of Baghdad residents, in line with government directives.

Mayor Kazem instructed all municipal departments to set up Christmas trees and decorations for the occasion of Christmas and the New Year, 2024. Additionally, he directed the execution of cleaning campaigns around churches and monasteries, as well as participation in the mass held in Baghdad’s churches, accompanied by presenting floral arrangements.

In a show of solidarity, Baghdad Municipality has decided to cancel the festive celebrations for Christmas and the New Year, mourning the Hamadaniya incident and expressing support for the people of Gaza.