.jpg) | JORDAN - CHRISTMAS A Christmas of lights and contrasts Iraqi exiles celebrate Christ's birth.
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.jpg) | PAKISTAN – CHRISTMAS Christmas, a holiday that brings Christians and Muslims closer together
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.jpg) | VATICAN Let violence end, everywhere peace is needed, says the Pope
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.jpg) | VATICAN The bread of life was born tonight, says the Pope
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.jpg) | HONG KONG - CHINA Christmas fosters hope burdened by politicians' 'decadence', says Bishop Zen Bishop calls on parents to spend more time with children. "Being with them," he says, "is the most precious gift you can offer."
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.jpg) | SRI LANKA Yes, to peace and justice; no to death penalty, says Colombo bishop
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.jpg) | MALAYSIA Jesus back in Christmas carols Malaysia's Culture Minister denies banning carols with references to Jesus; instead, he invites "everyone" to be part of the festivities.
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.jpg) | ISRAEL – PALESTINE – VATICAN Christmas, peace in the Holy Land, peace on earth For the Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem, the birth of Christ and the faith of Christians and pilgrims are a source of optimism and peace. Tentative steps towards dialogue between Israel and Palestine and the attention of the world and the Church are signs of hope.
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.jpg) | BANGLADESH Christmas in the orphanage or how the joy of the season meets hope for the future Sreete and another 140 girls will celebrate Christmas in an orphanage surrounded by the affection and love of nuns who care for them every day. In many, a vocation for the religious life is born.
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.jpg) | UZBEKISTAN Christmas in Tashkent after the wounds of Soviet atheism The country's few Christians celebrate the birth of Christ whilst the majority of the population knows little of its meaning.
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.jpg) | THAILAND Buddhists and other non Christians will attend Christmas mass
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.jpg) | PHILIPPINES The essence of Christmas is God made flesh, says Archbishop Cruz In his Christmas message, the Archbishop tells the faithful to remember God's act of love, his becoming man, and urges the population to be less passive and work instead to build a better country.
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.jpg) | PHILIPPINES Pre-dawn mass to celebrate the coming of Christ Novena mass at 4 am as people in the country and cities gather to thank 'Christ the Light' who overcomes darkness.
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.jpg) | INDIA Gujarat Christians want a Christmas without violence Hindu fundamentalists organise festivals to disrupt Christmas celebrations.
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 | PAKISTAN Christmas in an Islamic country: festivities, traditions and solidarity Exams are held earlier in Christian schools to prepare Nativity plays; streets and homes are decorated; Caritas offers dinner to 300 kids in juvenile prison.
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.jpg) | ISRAEL - PALESTINE Days that seem to announce peace, says Patriarch Michael Sabbah
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.jpg) | IRAQ We shall celebrate Christmas even amidst all the violence, Chaldean Patriarch says Church leaders are united to honour victims and oppose terrorism. They express solidarity with the Shiite community in Karbala and Najaf hit by deadly violence yesterday.
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.jpg) | SRI LANKA Catholic church set on fire near Colombo Buddhist extremists are suspected. "They might destroy the building, but not our faith", said the parish priest. Faithful will still celebrate Christmas in nearby grotto.
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.jpg) | VATICAN May the Christmas tree teach us to give ourselves, says the Pope Pontiff lovingly greets 32 children who survived the Beslan school massacre.
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.jpg) | ISRAEL – PALESTINE – HOLY LAND Uncertainty on Christmas Eve for the peoples and governments of Israel and Palestine The Palestinian elections, the withdrawal of Barghouti's candidacy and the crisis of the Sharon government have increased the sense of impotence and insecurity in the two peoples. Our correspondent in Jerusalem gives an overview of the situation in the Holy Land on the eve of Christmas.
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.jpg) | ISRAEL – PALESTINE Israeli Christians to visit Bethlehem this Christmas Interim Palestinian President wants to attend Midnight Mass in Bethlehem.
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.jpg) | SOUTH KOREA Christmas trees in a Buddhist temple to honour Jesus' birth
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.jpg) | THAILAND Christmas concert by Thai prisoners' band Concert will be registered with Guinness Book of World Records. Music becomes 'healing therapy for inmates.
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.jpg) | CHINA No more tickets to pay for midnight mass
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.jpg) | INDONESIA Indonesia orders security clamp down after terror warning
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.jpg) | PALESTINE Somber Christmas in Bethlehem after Arafat's death
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.jpg) | MALAYSIA Christmas without Jesus in Malaysia
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.jpg) | China - vatican Christmas Midnight Mass for a fee at the Beijing Cathedral Catholics appalled by the decision taken by the Patriotic Association and Bishop Fu Tieshan, who are currently engaged in reforming the diocese's administration. A 50 yuan entry fee is also a way to stem the interest of young people in Christianity.
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.jpg) | INDONESIA Tight security ahead of Christmas season
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.jpg) | VATICAN The crèche is a sign of culture and faith, Pope says
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 | IRAQ Bearing witness to Christ at the peril of one's life, says Father Ragheed in Mosul The priest who saw the attack against the Bishop's Palace says that the building "has collapsed except for one wall and hanging on that wall is a photo of the Pope."
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.jpg) | PALESTINE Palestinian Christians fear their country might become an Islamic state
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.jpg) | PALESTINE Between old fears and new hopes, celebrating Advent in Bethlehem
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