• Iraqi Christians gather to celebrate Palm Sunday at the St. Elijah church in Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, on April 1, 2023. (Photo by SAFIN HAMED / AFP)
    Iraqi Christians gather to celebrate Palm Sunday at the St. Elijah church in Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, on April 1, 2023. (Photo by SAFIN HAMED / AFP)
  • Erbil is the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq
    Erbil is the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq
  • Palm Sunday commemorates the day Christians believe Jesus entered Jerusalem, welcomed as the messiah, only to be crucified five days later
    Palm Sunday commemorates the day Christians believe Jesus entered Jerusalem, welcomed as the messiah, only to be crucified five days later
  • Traditions include processions with palm branches, the blessing of palms and the construction of small palm crosses
    Traditions include processions with palm branches, the blessing of palms and the construction of small palm crosses
  • It marks the start of the Christian holy week that culminates on Easter Sunday
    It marks the start of the Christian holy week that culminates on Easter Sunday
  • Masses gather at St Elijah to mark Palm Sunday
    Masses gather at St Elijah to mark Palm Sunday

Iraqi Christians mark Palm Sunday - in pictures


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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival

The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo

Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm

Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Price: from Dh498,542

On sale: now

Updated: April 02, 2023, 10:59 AM