Christmas, a holiday that brings people together in the Middle East
A major holiday for Christians, Christmas has a universal scope, as proved by the festivities that surround it in the Middle East.
A whole month of festivities from December to January
An unmissable event at the end of each year, Christmas is celebrated in most of the Christian world on the night of December 24 to December 25. Throughout this winter month, the so called "Advent" period enables believers to prepare spiritually for the birth of Jesus, which, according to the New Testament, took place in Bethlehem. The diversity of rites and traditions in the Christian world of the Middle East does not, however, imply a uniform way of celebrating Christmas. First of all, as far as the calendar is concerned. The Coptic community, which has its own calendar (inherited from ancient Egypt), celebrates Christmas on January 7, a date more or less concomitant with Epiphany, which celebrates the coming of the Magi and their offerings. The same applies to all other Orthodox communities, i.e. those of Eastern rite, whose counting of days differs from that of Catholics. From Beirut to Cairo, via Jerusalem or Damascus, each Christmas celebration marks the end of the year and the beginning of a new one for every family and community.
Traditions and symbols
No celebration is complete without culinary traditions and symbols! Often, the latter are imbued with local folklore and have their equivalents in the West. In Syria, for example, the camel acts as Santa Claus, bringing children their presents. In Iraq, bonfires and prayers recited by candlelight recall the miraculous and creative role of light. Another tradition, this time borrowing from the cycle of nature and heralding the New Year, is that of sprouted seeds in Lebanon. Once green, these young leguminous shoots decorate cribs and churches. In Palestine, the city of Bethlehem lives for an entire day to the rhythm of parades and bagpipe music. When it comes to culinary delights, every country boasts its own specialties. What all communities have in common, however, is the use of spices and the consumption of sweets, not unlike those offered to relatives to celebrate the arrival of a newborn child. For some, Advent is synonymous with vegan fasting. Fatty meats, a symbol of prosperity and abundance, are eaten during the feast.
A bridge between communities
Although religious, Christmas remains the most socially unifying holiday in the region's multi faith countries. In Lebanon, it is viewed very favorably by Muslims. In Egypt, January 7 is a national holiday. In northern Israel, the city of Haifa's own coexistence is celebrated throughout the month of December, during the Holiday of the Holidays (Hag shel HaHagim), which celebrates Hanukkah, Mawlid and Christmas, with shows and illuminations. It is perfectly acceptable for Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities to exchange greetings on this occasion. Saudi Arabia, the historic cradle of Islam, has also been seduced by the event, and is making it its own, particularly in terms of trade, to demonstrate its religious tolerance and openness, as enshrined in Crown Prince Mohammed Ben Salmane's Vision 2030. Today, it's not uncommon to see stores and cafés in the kingdom's major cities decorated to this effect.
A holiday of birth and light, with a universal scope but whose traditions perfectly reflect the diversity of the region, Christmas is undoubtedly the time of year that most brings communities together.
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Picture credits: AP / Mahmoud Illean
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