Spreading hatred against Christians on Persian social networks
Since Christmas, there has been a widespread wave of hate speech against Christians on Persian social media.
December 25th marks the birth of Jesus Christ and the beginning of the Christmas celebration. This celebration begins on December 25th and continues until January 6th in various countries. However, this year, as this celebration began with Christians around the world, hateful content against Christians was published on Persian social networks.
Not only did the publication of these anti-Christian messages and hate speech against Christians provoke many reactions, but Ali Khamenei's refusal to officially congratulate the Christian community on Christmas drew much attention to this issue and prompted him to publish a different message.
In addition to the fact that Iranian Christians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, and followers of Protestant churches celebrate Christmas, which is their greatest celebration, on December 25th, even Muslim Iranians consider it their duty to congratulate the Christian community on Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ, as is customary every year, and even to participate in their celebration.
Every year, on the occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ, the authorities of the Islamic Republic, while publishing ceremonial messages, congratulate Christians on this celebration under the title "Eid Milad al-Masih (PBUH)." Ali Khamenei has also congratulated the Christian community on this celebration in previous years.
Unlike in previous years, government-affiliated media outlets this year issued a tweet on behalf of Ali Khamenei that was referred to as a "message congratulating the birth of Jesus Christ (PBUH)," while making no mention of the birth of Christ or the celebration of Christmas.
Ali Khamenei also posted a message in English on his X account, writing: "If Jesus (pbuh) were among us today, he would not hesitate for a moment in fighting the leaders of global arrogance and would not tolerate the hunger and displacement of billions of people who have been driven to war by the dominating powers."
It is very unfortunate that in addition to Ali Khamenei's unloving message and refusal to congratulate the Christian community, we have also witnessed an increase in hate speech against Christians on Persian social networks, especially on December 25 and 26, coinciding with the birth of Jesus Christ and the celebration of Christmas.
According to reports published by social media activists, from December 25 to January 6, when Christmas is celebrated around the world, hate speech against Christians has increased by 50% compared to the previous year (2024). In addition, more than 23,000 articles about anti-Semitism, 2,500 articles against Baha'is, 3,200 articles containing anti-Sunniism, and 2,300 articles against Zoroastrians have been published on Persian social media.
Ali Khamenei's refusal to congratulate the Christian community on the birth of Jesus Christ comes at a time when the government uses the Christian community in matters such as elections, spreading hatred against Israel, and war, etc. But when it comes to their beliefs and beliefs, it not only oppresses them but even refuses to congratulate them on this great global celebration, as if it considers Christians as a tool that it can use in times of need.
