The Cabinet Approves the Proposal of His Beatitude Patriarch Sako to Declare Christmas a Holiday for All Iraqis

By Chaldean Patriarchate

by Father Albert Hisham – The Chaldean Patriarchate Media Administrator The Cabinet (Council of Ministers) headed by His Excellency Prime Minister Mr Nouri al-Maliki, approved the proposal that was presented by His Beatitude our Father Patriarch Mar Louis Raphael Sako to His Excellency Prime Minister Mr Nouri al-Maliki to declare Christmas, The Birth Day of our Lord Jesus Christ, 25 December, a holiday for all Iraqis.

On this occasion, the Chaldean Patriarchate, represented by His Beatitude our Father the Patriarch, give thanks to the Iraqi Government for agreeing to this proposal, asking the Almighty for peace in our country and for all Iraqi people to be blessed with security and stability.

We publish here the message text of His Beatitude to His Excellency the Prime Minister requesting the Declaration of Christmas as a holiday for all Iraqis:

Your Excellency Prime Minister Mr Nouri al-Maliki, Munificent God protect you

Subject: A proposal for “Declaration of Lord Jesus Christ birthday (Christmas) a holiday for all Iraqis

Peace be upon you.

As Your Excellency know that Lord Jesus Christ birthday is on the twenty fifth of the month of December of each year. And that Lord Christ is not limited to Christians, but He is for everyone. And He is highly respected by our fellow brothers, the Muslims, where the Quran has sorted out for Him a privileged position. With this opportunity, I approach Your Excellency requesting to make this feast day a public holiday for all Iraqis. With this declaration, you would please your children, the Christians, and establish coexistence, as well as this declaration will leave a good image of you and Iraq in the International Forums which envisages that the Christians are being persecuted.

 Your Excellency, please accept my highest respect.

Patriarch Dr. Louis Raphael Sako