Birth anniversaries: Preparations in full swing for Christmas, 12 Rabiul Awwal

Mosques, churches decorated in vibrant colours to celebrate 12 Rabiul Awwal, Christmas

PESHAWAR/ TIMERGARA: It is that time of the year again where trees are lit up and red and green drape the walls of our homes. However, this year, Christmas and 12 Rabiul Awwal falls within a day of each other. Celebration for the birth of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

will be held on Thursday (today) while the birth of Christ will be celebrated on Friday.

Preparations to celebrate these special occasions are in full swing. Mosques and churches are all lit up in vibrant and colourful lights.

Security dynamic

Security has been tightened in the city while government and historical buildings have been adorned with lights.

The main procession of Rabiul Awwal 12 will start from Milad Chowk in the city. However, there will be other processions in the city as well. Pesco has also announced that no load-shedding will take place. Peshawar DC Riaz Mehsud has also directed police to keep a close watch and prevent any untoward incident from happening during the procession.

Jingle bells

People from the Christian community are busy buying gifts, and churches are being decorated with colourful lights, Christmas trees, red and white stockings, vibrantly wrapped presents. Houses are also shining bright with lights all around the building.

Christians are going to cook different types of food to celebrate the holiday. “Everyone is excited for Christmas,” said Augustan Jacob, a local Christian leader. “Christmas shopping is under full swing and people are buying presents left, right and centre for their loved ones.”

“Even those who could afford to do so are buying gifts for their loved ones and adorning their homes with traditional Christmas trees and lights,” Jacob said.

According to Jacob, there are more than 100,000 Christians living in Peshawar, who are running about 20 churches in different parts of the city, all of which have been decorated.

In Timergara, a ceremony was organised by Aawaz, a nonprofit organisation, at the press club on Wednesday for Christians in the area. District Nazim Haji Muhammad Rasool was also present on the occasion.

He said being a Pakistani, we are all united, and it is our duty to respect other religions and treat the minorities like our brothers and sisters.

Other speakers at the ceremony included lawyers, activists, and people from the community. They were of the opinion that this year, 12 Rabiul Awwal, Christmas and birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam fall within one day of each other and this gives a message of hope and peace to the nation.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2015.