JAKARTA - A memo from the Hamas group has circulated to curb Christmas celebrations in Gaza, Palestine. The memo was rejected by local Christians.
According to a Ministry of Religious Affairs document dated December 15, Hamas called for Reuters activities by the directorate for dakwah and spiritual guidance to be immediately limited ahead of Christmas. This then disappointed the Christians in Palestine.
"We are an example for a world that does not have a sectarian problem (hatred between groups), therefore we are very disappointed," said Samer Tarazi, a Christian journalist in Gaza.
He said Palestinian Christians just want to live as usual without being restricted by spiritual agendas. For the leak, Greek-Jerusalem orthodox archbishop Atallah Hanna called the memo seductive.
However, he also said that the memo would not damage the unity and good relations of Christians with the local Muslim community.
Hamas also commented. Their overreaction is part of a move to ensure Muslims interpret Christmas in accordance with Islamic law.
"There has never been any intention to offend Christians or limit their ability to celebrate and perform their religious rituals," said Hamas official Bassem Naim.
In line with that, the Ministry of Religion then issued a statement guaranteeing Christians in Gaza can worship in peace. The content of the Ministry of Religious Affairs statement reveals: they have the right to hold their religious celebrations and they cannot be offended or restricted.
"Just as Muslims are ordered to avoid violating (Islamic law) on Muslim holidays, it all becomes an excuse for them to avoid (such violations) during other people's holidays," the statement added.
Previously, Gaza Christians were unable to make their usual Christmas trip to Bethlehem this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is noted that Gaza Christians are only 1 percent of the total population. Most of them are Greek Orthodox Christians.
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