KUALA LUMPUR: The Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia, Walid Abu Ali (pic), expressed sadness that Christmas would not be celebrated in the Holy Land.
"The churches have decided that they will not celebrate as they want to stand with the Palestinians," said the diplomat who was born in Bethlehem.
Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, an ancient church built over the grotto that is believed to be the site of the manger in which Jesus was born, has always been the centre of celebrations during Christmas, which according to Walid, is celebrated by both Muslims and Christians in Palestine.
Most of the biblical sites are located in the predominantly Muslim West Bank.
Walid reminded Malaysians that the fight to free Palestine from Israel was not a religious conflict.
"When the Israeli army attacked hospitals in Gaza, they targeted children and mothers. They did not differentiate between Muslim and Christian, therefore, definitely, our struggle is not a religious struggle, our struggle is against Israeli cruelty,” he said, Bernama reports.
He was the guest of honour at Bernama's Christmas celebration gathering at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre here yesterday which was attended by senior staff and media guests.
Star Media Group advisor and Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said the world must not forget Palestine during the Christmas season.
"There is no Christmas for them this year, please remember them," said Wong, who added that Christmas began in Bethlehem.
He said the red and green colours of Christmas were the same colours as those in the Palestinian flag.
Wong said he was proud of Bernama's continued efforts in providing support to produce useful and comprehensive news content, especially regarding the issue of Israel's attacks on Palestine.
He said yesterday’s event was also a sign of remembrance and a message to the Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia of the country's continued support for the Palestinians.
"Today, we are having a feast to celebrate Christmas, but we have never forgotten the people of Palestine.
"We have invited a representative from Palestine, the Palestinian ambassador, to deliver a message that even though we are safe in Malaysia, we have not forgotten the suffering faced by the Palestinian people," he added.
(From left to right) Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali, Bernama editor-in-chief Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and Bernama deputy editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj at Bernama's Christmas celebration gathering at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre.
Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai (middle), Bernama editor-in-chief Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin (second from left), Star Media Group (SMG) chief content officer Esther Ng (second from right) and SMG deputy executive editor Mergawati Zulfakar (right) at Bernama's Christmas celebration gathering at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre.
