From early morning, members of the Christian community in Hamdaniya district, Nineveh Governorate, carried olive branches and chanted hymns, marking the beginning of "Palm Sunday" celebrations.
Thousands of Christians from the district, along with expatriates, marched with their olive branches in a procession starting from the courtyard of Al-Tahira Church in the center of Hamdaniya, commemorating the entry of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem. The procession was warmly welcomed by the residents of the district.
Participants wore traditional and folkloric attire, adding a cultural and heritage dimension to the religious occasion. Behnam Youssef, one of the participants, expressed, "Palm Sunday holds a special place in the hearts of Christians in the Nineveh Plain." He added, "Every year, we celebrate this cherished occasion, which embodies values of love and peace. We pray to God for security and stability in the world, especially in our homeland, Iraq".
Manahel Korkis, a participant who traveled from Germany, shared, "Attending this year is a deeply emotional moment in my life." She noted, "This is the first time I am participating in this celebration in Hamdaniya. I came with my family, wearing folkloric clothing, and we feel great joy in this unique faith gathering."
Palm Sunday, also known as the "Sunday of the Palms" or "Sha'neeneh," is the seventh Sunday of Lent and the last before Easter (the Feast of Resurrection). It marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. The day is also referred to as "Olive Sunday" or "Palm Sunday" because the people of Jerusalem welcomed Jesus with palm fronds and decorated olive branches, laying their garments, palm leaves, and olive branches before him. The palm fronds symbolize victory, as they greeted Jesus as a triumphant figure fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah as the Messiah.