Christmas celebrated with fervour in twin cities

Prayers offered for an end to the pandemic across the world

ISLAMABAD:

Christmas was celebrated by the Christian community in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi with fervour and enthusiasm like the rest of the country. Christian devotees went to churches for the Christmas Mass in large numbers.

The prayer ceremonies were held in the churches under the standard operating procedures (SOPs) devised for the prevention of novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19). Special prayers were offered for peace in the country and an end to the pandemic across the world.

In Rawalpindi, St Joseph's Catholic Church in Lalkurti held prayer ceremonies. The prayer service began at 10:30am and bells rang in the churches which were beautifully decorated. A large number of men and women, elders and children from the Christian community attended the Mass. Bishop of Rawalpindi Joseph Arshad gave the main sermon of the day. Rawalpindi police had tightened security at 109 churches and public parks on Christmas Eve.

More than 4,000 Rawalpindi police officers and personnel were deployed to ensure security. Coronavirus SOPs were strictly enforced by the Christian community and church administrations. Islamabad Police as per their security plan for Christmas in the federal capital had deployed over 1,000 security personnel including policewomen to perform their duties around churches in different parts of the city. To express solidarity and celebrate Christmas with Christian minority Station Commander Rwp and President Chaklala and Rawalpindi Cantonment Boards Brig Ijaz Qamar Kiani along with his wife visited St Paul's Church on the invitation of Pastor Reverend Samuel Titus.

A number of shopping malls and hotels in the capital also placed decked Christmas trees to attract the visitors especially children. The Christian communities decorated their residential colonies with lightings, displayed stalls carrying different attractions like Santa Claus outfit, toys, Christmas tree etc to attract the children.

The Christmas tree is usually decked with different ornaments including baubles, small bells painted gold or silver, stars of different shapes and sizes, pine cones, apples, candies, tinsel and balloons made from glass, metal, wood and ceramic. It is pertinent to mention here that Islamabad Traffic Police deputed 162 policemen to ensure smooth flow of traffic in the capital on the occasion of Christmas. They performed duties at worship places, shopping malls, public places and markets to ensure smooth traffic flow on the occasion.