Merry Christmas! A'yaad meelad Saeedah!!

"Iraq is a bouquet of flowers of different colors, each color represents a religion or ethnicity but all of them have the same scent,"

Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly

A Quieter Christmas In Iraq

The spiritual leader of Iraq's Catholics made a Christmas appeal Monday for all those who have fled Iraq to return and help rebuild their shattered homeland, acknowledging that fear still persists even as the country enjoys one of its most peaceful holiday seasons in years.

Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, leader of the ancient Chaldean Church, told The Associated Press at his guarded compound in west Baghdad that his message was one of love and charity for everyone.

"And for the emigrants to return home, to work for the good of their country and their homeland despite the situation which their country is in -- that is my hope.

Muslim clerics—both Sunni and Shiite—also attended the service in a sign of unity.

So far the holiday season has been peaceful. Last December, more than 2,300 people died in war-related violence compared to about 540 so far this month, according to an AP count

Merry Christmas! A'yaad meelad Saeedah!! Milad Majid!!
Happy New Year!! Sana sa'eedah!
May 2008 bring all Iraqi's continued security and a much needed return to normalcy.

Christians Come Home, as Al Queda's Grip Eases

IRAQI Christians who fled a district of Baghdad that declared itself an al-Qaeda caliphate have returned home to celebrate their first Christmas in two years.

Milad Majid!

Please listen to this beautiful rendition of SILENT NIGHT in Arabic and English from Lebanese/Canadian chanteuse Miray.