Dario Salvi

The priest writes to the Muslims fighting intolerance to thank them. His is a response to the Grand Mufti’s statement. For the Chaldean clergyman, Iraqis must rediscover their "original essence" and go back to a time of innocence when they played as children unconcerned about their respective faiths. Meanwhile, many Muslims are helping rebuilding churches destroyed by fundamentalists.

Qatari ambassador to Lebanon emphasises the importance of interreligious dialogue. But signs of intolerance also come from Lebanon: Muslim MP attacked online for participating in a New Year's Peace Mass. She defends the choice: "I'm not the first one, I will not be the last one".

Football and politics will interplay in Iran-Iraq and Saudi Arabia-Qatar matches. For Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines and Yemen, this will be a first time. China’s presence will be low-key, as it continues to struggle for status after spending billions of dollars.

The head of Iranian diplomacy invokes "peace for all earth". And prays that no innocent man, woman or child should lose their life. President Rouhani emphasizes the role of Iranian Christians for the development of the country. Armenian Bishop: We need more knowledge of the country in the West.

Card Beshara al-Rahi’s New Year message addresses the country’s political crisis, slamming those who hinder the formation of a new cabinet, which is needed to ensure "political, economic and social stability". For Greek-Catholic metropolitan, “the interests of the nation [come] above everything else.”

During Friday prayers, al-Sumaidaie said that it was "impermissible" for Muslims to celebrate Christmas or New Year. The Chaldean patriarch slammed such "rhetoric of hatred" that sows "divisions". In his New Year message, he calls for openness and deeper sharing.

The measures follow the recent wave of bloody attacks that hit the Christian minority. Armored personnel, armed men, plainclothes officers guard the most important places of worship. Security expert: Coptic "easy" objective and guarantee of "wide visibility" on an international level.

The representation had been closed in the early days of the conflict. The UAE have long supported the opposition rebel groups, but less openly than Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar. The possible re-admission of Damascus into the Arab League is being examined, but unanimity is needed.

The cabinet has amended the national holiday law following an appeal by Patriarch Sako for whom the birth of Jesus is "for all". The Vatican Secretary of State is in Iraq where he has called on people to be “seeds of peace". The government is clamping down on fake property sales that have especially affected Christians.

Palestinian politician: Israeli "Grinch" steals Christmas. The go ahead to the project comes at the end of a two-day discussion that took place on December 25 and 26. 1451 new housing units will be built and another 837 planned. Activists and experts speak about the electoral strategy of the Netanyahu government in view of the early elections in April.

Fr Amer, a Syro-Catholic priest, describes how the atmosphere in the Syrian capital resembles that of “before the war.” Parishes are crowded and streets are decorated courtesy of the municipality. Reconciliation requires solidarity with the poor Muslims of Ghouta.

133 people were executed between June 2017 and March 2018. Almost twice as many as the 67 recorded in the eight months that preceded the rise to power of Mbs. Saudi Arabia among the top five countries in the world for death sentences. Executions for crimes related to drug trafficking are increasing.