"Hanukkah: the celebration of Light" was celebrated by the department of Youth from IID.

On Dec. 22, 2006, on the occasion of Hanukkah, the department of youth from the Institute for Interreligious Dialogue held a cultural event that included enthusiasts from all different religions, including Christians, Muslims, Jews and Mr. Seyed Mohammad Ali Abtahi, President of Institute for Interreligious Dialogue. After giving his well wishes for Christmas to the Christians and for Eid- Al Adhar to the Muslims at this event, Mr. Arash Abaie, a Jewish compatriot, presented the history of Hanukkah and its rituals as well as the history of Jerusalem.

“Hanukkah in Hebrew means "opening" and is also the name of a feast that marks the celebration of the occasion of reopening Jerusalem and freeing it from the Greeks. At this event, which takes 8 days, the Jews light candles in a special candlestick to commemorate the Miracle of Hanukkah,” he said.

Mr. Abaie continued, “According to the Talmud, after the triumph of Hashmou Naim on Idolaters and the cleaning of the Holy shrine of Solomon (the Jews Kiblah), they wanted to reopen the Shrine; but, to light the 7 branched lamp, they could only get the small dish that contains the clean oil which the Stamp of Great Jewish priest (chief Rabbi) was still on. This meager supply of oil could be enough for 1 day, but a miracle happened, and the oil remained and burnt for 8 days.  Because of this, preparing the New Clear oil became possible. A year after this incident, these 8 days was announced as an Eid.”
 
In continuation Mr. Abaie said, “The city of Jerusalem is one of the historical and holy places in the world, which all monotheism have respect for and Followers of Abrahamic Religions have a common point about its holiness, besides a religious work from all these divine religions that remain in this city.” In the end of his lecture, he said the prayer proper to Hanukkah then lit the candles.

A religious song proper to Hanukkah recited by a Folklore Music Group from Organization of Jewish Students, and this cultural event came to an end with a reception.

The youth group of Institute for Interreligious Dialogue held a program titled, “Honoring the Birth of Christ (Christmas), Prophet of Love and Kindness,” on the birth anniversary of the forerunner of peace and kindness, Jesus Christ.This program was attended by a number of Assyrians, Armenians, Jews, Zoroastrians and Muslims. Priest Komitas and Armenian Church clergy talked about the birth and character of Christ.

Christ wished for a day when friendship would be considered and believed in as a principle so that followers of religions can announce the message of salvation through coordinating and emphasizing their common points.  Priest Komitas quoted from the Holy Gospel, saying, “The Angel Gabriel gave good news to a virgin girl named Mary: ‘You are the praised and hallowed woman among all the world’s women and you will have a son, who shall be named Jesus Christ.’”

Then he considered this happening as the accomplishment of the prediction made by Prophet Ishia, 700 B.C., and said, “The birth of Jesus Christ (Christmas) had been predicted by Prophet Mica in the Old Testament too.”
Then he mentioned that the birth of the Christ was a strange and wonderful event and said, “Christ lived 33 years among the people, but just as his birth, his miracles were surprising and marvelous. He instructed love, friendship and peace to his followers, from his birth to the time of his ascension to the kingdom of heaven.”

Priest Komitas said: “We, the Armenian, pride ourselves upon being the first ones to accept and follow Christianity, as well as for living in a country which is religion-based.” Priest Komitas added, “Christ is the appearance of divine grace and kindness, as well as soul, glory, and the words of God.”  He helped indigent and helpless people, and he was the one by whose breath the dead came alive and whose words were like a pleasant breeze.”

At the end, thanking the Head of Institute for Interreligious Dialogue as well as the youth working in the institute, he said, “I wish God may bestow his great blessing upon them.”

At the continuation of this program, and answering to the question concering why there is a difference of opinions between Christians on the birth-date of Christ, the Priest Komitas said, “Armenian Morsalin (Prophets) Churches, Indian Molabar Churches, and Coptic and Assyrian Orthodox Churches were united in 451 A.D. and kept the birthday of the Christ on the sixth day of January. All Christian churches were unanimous on it until the fifth century A.D. when some clergies, led by Pop Leon in the year 451 A.D. at Calckdon Global Congress, announced the 25th day of December, which was a celebration day for Mitra, the light and sun goddess, as the birthday of the Christ, but such date was not acceptable for us.”