This Christmas season, Iraqi churches will not have decorations or public celebrations.

A large number of Christians in Iraq attend the Chaldean Catholic Church. Patriarch, Louis Raphael Sako, the head of the church has announced that this year, there will be no public Christmas celebrations. 

Sako says that this decision is out of respect for those killed and wounded during the protests that have been occurring for the past three months in the country. 

"There will be no decorated Christmas trees in the churches or streets."

In mass rallies against the government, 430 people have been killed and 20,000 people injured to date, primarily in the Shia-Muslim majority areas. 

The Church says it will refrain from publically celebrating Christmas as an act of solidarity.

"Out of respect for the dead and wounded among protesters and security forces, and in solidarity with the pains of their families; there will be no decorated Christmas trees in the churches or streets, no celebrations and no reception at the patriarchate," Sako says in a statement according to Premier. 

Conflict continues in the country, despite the Prime Minister's resignation on Sunday, December 1, 2019. Protesters are asking for a complete revamp of government officials.