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Sunday, December 22, 2024  
19 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446  

In pictures: World celebrates Christmas

Coronavirus-induced restrictions prompts smaller gatherings at church services for the second year in a row
In the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus, a midnight Mass was held in the Church of the Nativity. Reuters
In the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus, a midnight Mass was held in the Church of the Nativity. Reuters

People across the world are celebrating Christmas amid the outbreak of a new coronavirus variant -- Omicron -- that had prompted smaller gatherings at church services for the second year in a row. Health experts have stressed the need for following the SOPs to stem the Covid spread and break the chain reaction of the virus.

Here's our snapshot of global festivities.

Families - many with young children - attended a Christmas Eve service at St Andrew's Church in Karachi. Reuters
Families - many with young children - attended a Christmas Eve service at St Andrew's Church in Karachi. Reuters

A Palestinian man dressed as Santa Claus gestures as he rides a camel in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP
A Palestinian man dressed as Santa Claus gestures as he rides a camel in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP

Syrians gather around a Christmas tree in the capital Damascus. AFP
Syrians gather around a Christmas tree in the capital Damascus. AFP

Children dressed as Santa Clause play with a soccer ball as they celebrate at their school ahead of Christmas in Chennai, India. AFP
Children dressed as Santa Clause play with a soccer ball as they celebrate at their school ahead of Christmas in Chennai, India. AFP

A local resident takes a picture of a nativity scene created by the villagers in Banovci, northeastern Slovenia. AFP
A local resident takes a picture of a nativity scene created by the villagers in Banovci, northeastern Slovenia. AFP

Nuns held prayers at a solemn church service in Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters
Nuns held prayers at a solemn church service in Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters

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coronavirus

Christmas

Omicron