A Hamas memo released showing the Islamic group that ruled Gaza for the abolition of Christmas celebrations among Gaza’s Muslim majority has alarmed the small Christian community of the enclave before the holidays.
Ministry of religious affairs, dated December. 15, calls for “actions by the steering group preaching and spiritual guidance to limit communication with Christmas”.
A Christian family in Gaza is preparing for Christmas
(Photo: Reuters)
The leak went public last weekend, much to the chagrin of Palestinian Christians.
“We set an example to the world without having organizational problems, so we were very upset,” said Samer Tarazi, a Christian journalist in Gaza. He said Christians just wanted life to continue “as usual”.
The Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Jerusalem, Atallah Hanna, called the memorandum “inflammatory”, but said it “will not damage our unity and good relations”.
Gazan residents stand for pictures next to a Christmas tree in Gaza
(Photo: Reuters)
Hamas said the response added to the truth and only wanted to ensure that Muslims celebrate Christian holidays in accordance with Islamic law.
“It was never intended to offend Christians or limit their ability to celebrate and perform their religious rites,” said Bassem Naim, an official in Hamas.
The ministry, which is tasked with running the Gaza mosque and overseeing Muslim and Christian affairs in the coastal strip, hastily issued a statement that Christians have a right to “their religious observance and do not take offense or restrain them ”.
The statement said: “Just as Muslims are commanded to avoid violations of (Islamic law) on Muslim holidays, it is more than a reason for them to avoid (such breaches) during holidays- other days. “
Religious tensions in Gaza rarely spill into the public domain.
Church of Saint Porfirios in Gaza City
(Photo: Reuters)
While about 1% of the total Palestinian population is Christian, the percentage is small in Gaza, where about 1,000 Greek Orthodox Christians are among nearly 2 million Muslims.
The Christian community was already upset that celebration will be limited by coronavirus pandemic.
A Christian family in Gaza is preparing for Christmas
(Photo: Reuters)
Gaza Christians are unable to make their usual Christmas trips to Bethlehem this year due to increased COVID-19 travel restrictions imposed by Israel – which has blocked the Gaza Strip for years citing security concerns about Hamas – and Palestinian loopholes on the move to prevent the spread. infection.