Father Christmas visits Baghdad

Father Christmas visited Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone on Saturday evening.

Flanked by Mother Christmas, a reindeer and a couple of elves, he dropped by the American Embassy compound to spread some festive cheer among a few dozen US soldiers and diplomats as well as a smattering of officials from other countries.
“We appreciate all your hard work in the North Pole. Thank you,” Father Christmas said, standing on a raised platform that had been made to look like a brick chimney.

His appearance was part of a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on a wide patio area next to an outdoor swimming pool at the former Republican Palace of Saddam Hussein where the embassy is temporarily housed.
Also getting involved in the Yuletide spirit, the top British officer in Iraq had the honour of turning on a twinkling string of lights that twisted around the large, brightly decorated Christmas tree, which stood next to a giant inflatable snowman.
Lieutenant General Bill Rollo dutifully climbed onto the chimney-stage and flicked the light switch as the assembled crowd sipped hot chocolate from polystyrene cups and munched Christmas cookies.

A choir of Fijian soldiers, part of the United Nations effort in Iraq, added a musical element to the festivities, performing a variety of seasonal classics including “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night”.

Tinsel, paper chains, Christmas trees and pictures of Santa Claus (as the Americans tend to call him) have sprung up in various rooms all over the Palace in the past few days, including the dining hall and individual offices.
There was even a competition at the tree lighting ceremony for the best decorated door – apparently this is an annual tradition at workplaces in the United States.

The winning door-front was of a Christmas tree with the worlds “Peace”, “Love”, “Hope” and “Joy” written in red and yellow on either side.
Wrapping up the evening, Father Christmas and his costumed gang posed for pictures with various excited adults (including yours truly -- I also got to sit for a photograph in a makeshift sleigh) and handed out gifts from a large, white sack before heading off into the night.

[Picture 1: Father Christmas, his helpers and some of the guests, myself included;
Picture 2: The Christmas tree and an inflatable snowman;
Picture 3: The British General turns on the Christmas tree lights;
Picture 4: The Fijian singers;
Picture 5: The finalists in the decorated door competition;
Picture 6: Me on a makeshift sleigh.]

Comments

[Joseph]

Northern European customs like Christmas trees and Father Christmas look a bit out of place in Iraq, but as long as they are kept out of public / Muslim view they bring a bit of 'home' to the soldiers who are no doubt very much missing their families. I hope they're all home and well soon.

[zqll]

"but as long as they are kept out of public / Muslim view."

Excuse me! How European! You will be surprised to know that Iraqis are not as intolerant as those mad mullahs in Iran. Nor are all Iraqis Islamofascist as you seem to imply.

Go to a search engine and type in:
Iraqis and Christmas

You will find information that show that prior to the rise of the Islamofascist, Christians in Iraq celebrated Christmas in public. Your fear of all Muslims is not justified and seems to me to be highly prejudiced.

I hope not.
Merry Christmas!

[Dave Proctor]

As long as they are kept out of sight of the view of the public/ Muslims? Does the writer of that think that Muslims and Hindus and others should keep their festivities and symbols of worship out of the sight of the native population in Britain?

[Abd al-Masih]

Western atheists often object to the overt and public Christmas celebrations on the grounds that it might offend Muslims. Yet I have most often found that Muslims themselves do not object to Christmas, but to atheism. The atheists, then, are being dishonest and patronizing when they impute what is essentially their own anti-religious views to Muslims.

[Hannah]

Well, I'm not going to join in the religious debate, 'cos it's very cold here (two hours since I came in and my hands are still frozen!) and frankly I can't be bothered, but Santa's visit does seem quite surreal - especially decorated doors! Oh well, merry Cripsload one and all.

[Pop]

Hi Debbie,
That's a wonderful blog entry - I've been printing them out for Omi as well.
I hope you have as merry a Xmas as you can manage.
Went out with family last week - wish you'd been there. We'll toast you at Xmas as well.

All our love Dad x