Christmas brings cheer to Christian community

Special prayers held in Churches, neighbourhoods, decorated

KARACHI:

The Christian community celebrated their religious festival of Christmas in Karachi on Sunday with great jubilation.

Christmas prayers were held in all the churches of the city in which prayer leaders explained the teachings of Jesus.

Church choirs presented hymns, carols on the occasion, while special prayers were offered for peace, security, prosperity and development of the country.

The Christian neighbourhoods were bustling with activity amid special Christmas events, family gatherings and entertainments like swings and musical events. People had decorated their homes with Christmas trees, stars and electric lamps. In various Christmas celebrations, Christmas cakes were cut and Santa Claus distributed gifts among the children.

Men, women, youths, children of the Christian community were in their best dresses on Christmas Eve. They congratulate each other on Christmas. Cakes and other gifts were exchanged. Special feasts were arranged in homes on the occasion of Christmas. Special dishes were prepared for this occasion. A lot of excitement was seen in the areas of Christian localities across the city regarding Christmas.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah while congratulating the Christian community on Christmas said that today's day gives a message of peace, love and brotherhood. He further said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah has spoken of equal rights for all Pakistanis.

IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon while congratulating the Christian community on Christmas has said that providing foolproof security to the minority community is part of Sindh Police's priorities. Like other nations, minority communities are also a part of our society.

The IG Sindh has issued instructions that the Sindh Police should make overall security arrangements extraordinary on the occasion of Christmas. Security should be ensured at all churches in accordance with the exact contingency plan.

On the occasion of Christmas, the Christian community's festival, Tehreek-e-Insaf Karachi President Bilal Ghaffar visited the local churches of Constituency NA 244 PS 104. Bilal Ghaffar visited 18 small and big churches located in Azam Basti, Akhtar Colony and Manzoor Colony. Bilal Ghaffar attended the functions of the Christian community and cut the cake.

While the Christian community celebrated Christmas celebrations across the city, the administration of the Central Jail Karachi also organized a celebration for the prisoners belonging to the Christian community.

Special cakes were ordered for the prisoners. The ceremony started with the cutting of the cake, after which a special prayer ceremony was held.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2022.