FUHEIS, Jordan: For Jordanians in the Christian-majority town of Fuheis, the festive atmosphere of Christmas is tempered by economic distress and security incidents.

Fuheis, in Balqa governorate, is well-known for its Christmas celebrations, with many Jordanians, including Muslims, driving to the western hilltown to enjoy the annual festival.

But residents of Fuheis, less than 20 km west of Amman, say economic stress is having a severe impact on their purchasing power and, consequently, ability to afford Christmas gifts and feasts.

Speaking to Arab News, residents said that a “feeling of sadness” prevails in Jordan over the recent death of four police officers during protests in Maan, dampening this year’s Christmas’ celebrations.

Unrest has swept Jordan in recent weeks as truck drivers protest against the rise in fuel prices. 

The Council of the Heads of Churches in Jordan decided to cancel all Christmas and New Year celebrations, citing the “painful events” that had hit the country. 

“The number of people visiting our shop to buy Christmas gifts and souvenirs has been very low,” Rose, a saleswoman in Fuheis, told Arab News. 

Lamenting the “sad vibes” this Christmas, Rose said: “Only today (Friday) we started to receive customers.”

“Christmas celebrations have seemingly turned into a luxury under these difficult economic conditions.”

The same was true for Saeb Sunnaa, owner of a Christmas souvenir shop in Fuheis.

“Christmas is usually a high-volume selling season. But this has not been the case for almost three years. People have really become unable to feed their families, let alone celebrate Christmas and New Year.

“We offered big sales, all in vain. Price hikes have caused a big consumer slowdown and deeply impacted people and similarly the run-up to Christmas.”

He said that Fuheis had become “empty and sad during Christmas.”

Renee Hattar, a resident of Fuheis, told Arab News: “Fuheis used to be full of people, festivities and activities during Christmas. But this is how it is now.”