Iran’s Zarif extends congratulations to Christians on Christmas

In a tweet on Tuesday, Zarif expressed his felicitations over the auspicious birth anniversary of the prophet of friendship and brotherhood, Jesus Christ, describing Christmas as a “wondrous occasion,” and wishing a “joyous, peaceful holiday season” for all Christians.

“Wishing my Christian compatriots, and all across our globe who are observing, a very Happy Christmas and a joyous, peaceful holiday season. The birth of Jesus Christ, prophet in Islam, is a wondrous occasion to celebrate,” the top Iranian diplomat wrote.

Wishing my Christian compatriots, and all across our globe who are observing, a very Happy Christmas and a joyous, peaceful holiday season. The birth of Jesus Christ, prophet in Islam, is a wondrous occasion to celebrate. #Christmas2019— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) December 24, 2019

Also on Tuesday, Iranian administration’s spokesman Ali Rabiei extended his congratulations to all Christians in the country, wishing “the best wishes” for them.

“I express felicitations on the birth of Jesus Christ, the messenger of peace and kindness,” Rabiei said in a tweet in Persian. “These days, mankind more than ever before needs to revive the teachings of Abrahamic prophets. Wish my Christian compatriots the best wishes from God.”

Christians constitute less than one percent of the Iranian population.

There are at least 600 churches and over 300,000 Christians in Iran, a predominantly Muslim country.