Dhaka, Dec 25 (V7N) —The Christian community here today celebrated the Christmas in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world with festivity and religious fervour commemorating the birthday of Jesus Christ.
The Christian people offered special prayers on the day with illuminating churches and installing makeshift Christmas trees at homes and places of worship and missions.
Elderly people of the community, attired in the outfit of Santa Claus, usually make fun with children and distribute gifts among kids as part of a universal Christian practice.
Various programmes were arranged to celebrate Christmas in all churches, including St. Mary's Cathedral Church in city's Kakrail area and in famous city hotels including InterContinental, Pan Pacific Sonargaon, The Westin and Radisson.
The day was a public holiday.
In separate messages, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus greeted members of the Christian community on the occasion.
They wished peace, welfare, and prosperity of all citizens, including Christians, of the country.
President Shahabuddin, in his message, said Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony as all people have been practicing their religions and rituals independently in this country for long.
About Jesus Christ's contribution to society, the president said Jesus taught people to be in a peaceful position with love, compassion, forgiveness, affection, empathy, and the establishment of justice.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, in his message, hoped that Christmas will further strengthen the existing camaraderie and harmony between Christians and other communities in the country.
For thousands of years, he said people of all religions, regardless of race, religion, or caste, have lived together in harmony in this country. People of all religions and communities have ultimate freedom to practice their own religion here, he added.
On the holy day, churches in the capital were illuminated while Christmas trees were set up and candles were lit at abodes and churches by the Christian community to celebrate the event amid religious fervor.
Following the tradition, Santa Claus distributed sweets and gifts among children in churches on the occasion. This was a 'great day' for children in the Christian community as they got interesting gifts. Carolers sang Charismas carols praising Jesus Christ and God.
The national dailies published special articles highlighting the importance of Christmas.
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, and private radio stations and TV channels aired special programmes marking the festival.
The government maintained nationwide tight security for peaceful celebrations of the Christmas.
Police have banned bursting of fireworks and firecrackers and flying of lanterns in the capital from midnight on Tuesday to midnight on Wednesday on the occasion of Christmas.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his wife Dr Rebeka Sultana hosted a reception ceremony this noon at Bangabhaban's Durbar Hall on the occasion.
The president extended his sincere and warm greetings to the Christians of the country and the people of the world as well.
He also cut a Merry Christmas cake to mark the birthday of Jesus Christ.
He exchanged greetings with Christian religious leaders and also took part in the photo-session.
President's wife Dr Rebecca Sultana, Religious Affairs Adviser Dr A F M Khalid Hossain, Bishop Bejoy Nicephorus D'Cruze, Vatican City Ambassador Kevin S Randell and some other envoys, Bangladesh Christians Association President Nirmal Rozario, Father Albert Rozario and Reverest Martha Das, secretaries concerned, representatives from different foreign missions, distinguished persons of the Christian community, and religious leaders attended the reception.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus exchanged greetings with representatives of the Christian community on the occasion of Happy Christmas Day at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday.
Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain conducted the function while leaders of the Christian faith Bishop Bejoy N D'Cruze, Head of the Catholic Christians of Bangladesh; Bishop Philip P. Adhikary, Chairman of National Christian Fellowship of Bangladesh; President of Bangladesh Christian Association Nirmal Rosario; Ignatius Hemant Corraya, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Christian Association; and Daniel Nirmal D'Costa, President of Bangladesh Christian Mohajote; spoke, among others, on the occasion.
Christian leaders specially thanked the interim government for donating Taka 2.5 crore to the Christian Religious Welfare Trust on the occasion of the Christmas.
The Christian faith leaders said the donation was distributed to all churches across the country.
Christian leaders presented a copy of Bible to the chief adviser.
Extending his greetings to the members of the Christmas community, Prof Yunus said he was very pleased to meet with the Christian leaders.
Law Adviser Professor Dr Asif Nazrul, Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan were present on the occasion.
Leaders of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad (BPUP) on Tuesday greeted members of the Christian community as well as the countrymen marking Christmas Day.
In a message, BPUP President Basudev Dhar and General Secretary Santhosh Sharma said Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem on this day, and one of his vows was to establish a society free from exploitation by establishing justice and peace in the world.
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