IRAN’S CHRISTIAN ARMENIAN MINORITY IS STORMING THE GIFT SHOPS IN TEHRAN, BUYING THEM OUT OF ALL THEIR ORNAMENTS, SANTA FIGURES AND PINE TREES TO HANG IN THEIR STORES AND HOMES.

By HAGAI LAP

12/24/2014 17:01

Christmas in Iran. (photo credit:IRANIAN MEDIA)

As Christians all over the world geared up for Christmas this week,
so too were Iranians preparing to celebrate the festive holiday
in all its glory. Iran’s Christian Armenian minority in particular
has been storming the gift shops in Tehran, buying them out of all
their ornaments, Santa figures and pine trees to hang in their stores
and homes.

This colorful event has attracted attention, not only since it
is taking place in the streets of a Muslim majority city, but also
because the Armenian church celebrates Christmas on January 6, rather
than December 25.

Armenian Christians aren’t the only ones celebrating; Muslims are
also taking advantage of this holiday as an excuse to celebrate and
buy gifts. This year, the timing of Armenian Christmas is interesting
for anther reason too: it coincides with an important month for Shiite
believers, including Arba`een, which commemorates the martyrdom of
Husayn ibn Ali, and the day that marks Mohamed’s death.

This, however, does not stop Iranians from preparing for this festive
holiday, resulting in some beautiful pictures featured on Persian
sites, mostly those operating outside the country and the mainstream
media.