A Muslim businessman has erected an 85-foot-tall artificial Christmas tree in Baghdad, capital of the Republic of Iraq, as a symbol of solidarity with Christians this holiday season.
Yassi Saad said he wanted to put the tallest tree in the Iraqi city with the aim at “joining our Christian brothers in their holiday celebrations and helping Iraqis forget their anguish, especially the war in Mosul.”
The tree, with a diameter of 33 feet, was erected in the center of an amusement part in the Iraqi capital. Saad said the initiative cost around $24,000.
Iraq’s Christian community has steadily dwindled since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Christians have been targeted by Islamic extremists on several occasions, and have also fled the country for better economic opportunities.
