This week, Christians and Muslims marked the birth of both Jesus Christ and the Prophet Muhammad across the region, offering moments of respite from an otherwise tumultuous winter.
In Irbil, Iraqi Christians displaced by the Islamic State militant group celebrated Mass in a refugee camp, mere kilometers away from the front line.
In Iraq, Pakistan, Israel and the Palestinian territories, rings of security forces stood guard outside churches to protect those attending Christmas Mass.
Living Nativity scenes depicting the baby Jesus taking shelter with his parents evoked the plight of modern day refugees from the region’s wars seeking shelter in Europe.
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi paid a visit during Christmas week to Syrian children at a Lebanese public school serving refugees.