Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani participated in the Christmas Eve Mass with our Christian citizens, held at St. Joseph's Cathedral in the Karrada district of Baghdad.

In his speech, Al-Sudani extended his blessings to all Christians in Iraq and around the world, wishing them a Merry Christmas. He prayed for peace, security, and prosperity for all Iraqis, expressing his pride in joining our Christian brothers and sisters in celebrating this significant historical occasion. He emphasized that this event is an opportunity for humanity to reflect on the teachings of Jesus Christ and to adopt values that bring clarity to hearts and minds.

He highlighted that Iraq is a historical center for Christianity in the Middle East, with Christians having contributed throughout history to the civilizations of Mesopotamia, always working with dedication and sincerity to build their country.

Here are the key points from the Prime Minister's speech:

 The birth of Jesus Christ is an occasion to reaffirm Iraq's diverse and unified nature, which is a source of strength for all Iraqis.

 All components and sects in Iraq have coexisted for thousands of years, with numerous civilizations and religions passing through, always in a state of brotherhood, love, and cooperation.

 We always point to the diversity of our people as an advantage that makes Iraqis more open and accepting of others.

 The government has mobilized all its resources to ensure the stability of Christians in Iraq and to facilitate the return of those abroad to contribute to building their country.

 A few days ago, we celebrated the great victory over ISIS, achieved through the sacrifices of our people from all components.

 In the victory over ISIS, the noble principles of divine messages, whether Christian or Islamic, triumphed.

 Everyone is invited to create an Iraqi identity that transcends sects and religions, which is the guarantee for building a state of citizenship.

 We went through a difficult period after the Zionist aggression on our people in Gaza and Lebanon, where Muslims and Christians were targeted while the international community failed to fulfill its duties and commitments.

 Iraq has clearly stated its position on these crimes, maintaining the country's supreme interests and avoiding dragging Iraq into conflict and wars.

 We assure everyone that the government, along with all political forces and religious authorities, and backed by all our people, are united and cohesive to safeguard Iraq's interests.

 The honorable stance of our people at various stages, and during the two years of our government's work, was the foundation for the success of our program in terms of economic reforms.

We are committed to a path of development and reform that considers everyone's interests and strengthens a stable and strong Iraq.

Prime Minister's Media Office