World leaders deliver Christmas messages of prosperity, compassion and well-being
President Sheikh Mohamed wished people in the UAE and around the world a “blessed Christmas” as hundreds of millions united in celebration of the festive season.
“To all those celebrating Christmas in the UAE and around the world, I wish you a blessed day,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote in a post on social media yesterday.
“May this occasion usher in peace and well-being for you and your loved ones.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also delivered an uplifting message in honour of the season of goodwill. “Congratulations to those celebrating Christmas. May the world be blessed with goodness and love every year,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote.
US President Joe Biden offered a simple message on social media, accompanied by an image of a Christmas tree.
“From our family to yours: Merry Christmas, America,” he wrote.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the “spirit of harmony and compassion” that the religious festival embodies.
“Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! May this festive season bring joy, peace and prosperity to all,” Mr Modi wrote on social media.
“Let’s celebrate the spirit of harmony and compassion that Christmas symbolises, and work towards a world where everyone is happy and healthy. We also recall the noble teachings of Lord Christ.”
Britain’s King Charles III gave his second Christmas speech, standing beside a living tree to promote sustainability.
He stressed the importance of embracing universal values shared by major religions at a time of division and conflict.
“At a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the world, I pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other. The words of Jesus seem more than ever relevant: ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you.’
“Such values are universal, drawing together our Abrahamic family of religions, and other belief systems, across the Commonwealth and wider world. They remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our neighbours, and to seek their good as we would our own.”
The king said protecting the planet from climate change is a spiritual duty. His call to action on the environment in his Christmas address came weeks after he attended the Cop28 climate summit in Dubai.