Iran One Of Safest Places For Christians
MEP: Iran is one of the safest places for Christians throughout the West Asia where they can freely celebrate their Christmas, AFP reported on Sunday.
In a report on Christmas celebrations by Iranian Christians, the French news agency said: “Tehran might not seem like the most obvious pit stop for Santa Claus, but Iranians love the chintzy side of Christmas and it is also one of the safest places in the Middle East for Christians”.
Titled “Santa Claus Comes to Iran”, the agency reports on how freely and respectfully, Iranian Christians observe their traditions and go New Year shopping just like all Christian countries.
“The past month has seen shoppers flocking to the Armenian district of Somayeh — the biggest Christian area in the city — to pick up fake trees, and stock up on baubles, reindeer toys and plastic snowmen,” the report writes.
“Christians are officially recognized and protected — along with Jews and Zoroastrians — under laws introduced by the revolution’s founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini,” it adds.
The report goes on to say that Christians in Iran do not share the concerns of Christians in neighboring countries. “There are none of those concerns at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in downtown Tehran on Christmas Eve”.
Archbishop Ramzi Garmou told AFP that Christianity in the region dates back to the second century when St Thomas passed through on his way to India.
He was grateful that Iran is such an oasis of peace in a region beset by war, and in which Christians face mounting persecution.
“Thanks to God, we really live in peace and security, but our neighbors live in anguish and violence. We pray for them tonight,” he said.
