Christmas blessings: Christians of twin cities pray for peace, harmony
Festive cheers of family reunions and excited children take over parts of the cities.
Recreational facilities in the twin cities saw a large influx of visitors on Christmas. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS
RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD:
The incandescent glow of fairy lights followed Christmas Day all over the twin cities and while celebrations remained visibly low key and somewhat understated in most areas of the federal capital, the festive cheers of family reunions and excited children was palpable in some others.
Naseem, a domestic helper based in France Colony, said her family had to wear old clothes on the occasion since the tailor had not returned the orders for Christmas.
“But it is okay, the holidays have just begun, we can always wear the new clothes another day,” she said, with an air of ambivalence.
Her daughters Saniya, 7, and Sara, 8, wore colour-coordinated purple and red dresses, complete with matching hairbands and glittery cross-body bags. “Merry Christmas!” they exclaimed in unison, their eyes sparkling from under the fringes in the dusky evening light.
A few blocks away, a group of young men danced to blaring Bollywood music, singing along the mantras of “Munni badnaam” enthusiastically. Food stalls with piping hot samosas, pakoras and chips attracted little boys and girls, spending their “Eidi” on the edible goodies. The air echoed with squeals of children who crowded carousel rides, trampolines, merry-go-round, Ferris Wheel and banana boats.
Maha Yousaf, an eighth grader who had accompanied her family from Wah Cantonment to cherish the occasion in Islamabad, said “Christmas began with last night’s prayers, and since morning, we have been going around meeting our loved ones and devouring on sweets.”
In contrast to the subdued and simple celebrations at the Christian colony, local hotels went out of their way to decorate for Christmas.
At the Serena Hotel, for example, the lobby adorned a house carved out of ginger bread surrounded with cotton that resembled snow, glossy buntings, presents, a stuffed reindeer and a larger-than-life Christmas tree.
Much to the surprise of the visitors, a tall, “big-bodied” and suspiciously Pakistani-looking Santa with a thick, white beard, a perfect American accent went around, doling out presents and singing Christmas carols.
Hospitality professional Naveed Amir, who had come to the hotel for coffee with his family, said the occasion had become quieter in the city over the years.
“It used to be much more fun with carnivals and family gatherings. Things have definitely changed owing to security concerns,” he said.
His daughter, Mehwish, an advocate, who was visiting from England, said she enjoyed the occasion back home with family than anywhere else. “We decorated a Christmas tree at home and then went out for lunch,” she told The Express Tribune.
Mina Hlofi, a student who is on a visit from England and staying at the hotel, said she had written college applications for friends back home in the spirit of giving.
The Islamabad Police also held a ceremony at its Traffic headquarters to honour the Christian police personnel. Traffic Superintendent of Police Asmatullah Junejo said there is a need to promote interfaith harmony in the country.
“We are with you. Your duties in the force are as good as that of any of the other policemen and we acknowledge it,” Junejo told the Christian cops in attendance.
Christmas in Rawalpindi
Similarly, Christian community of Rawalpindi --- where tension has remained high between two religious groups since the Ashura violence--- celebrated Christmas with several church services and special prayers for peace.
“God, please help, we seek peace in this city,” Christians prayed aloud at Saint Paul’s Church on the Mall Road in Rawalpindi. “The people who are trying to sabotage peace of Rawalpindi may get sanity.”
Church-goers also remembered the victims of a bomb blast outside a Peshawar church in September.
Services were also held at midnight on Tuesday and noon on Wednesday at the Christ Church in Lal Kurti, Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church in Raja Bazaar and the St Andrew’s Church.
Tight security measures were taken by the police in both Rawalpindi and Islamabad and no untoward incident related to Christmas was reported till the filing of the story.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 26th, 2013.
The incandescent glow of fairy lights followed Christmas Day all over the twin cities and while celebrations remained visibly low key and somewhat understated in most areas of the federal capital, the festive cheers of family reunions and excited children was palpable in some others.
Naseem, a domestic helper based in France Colony, said her family had to wear old clothes on the occasion since the tailor had not returned the orders for Christmas.
“But it is okay, the holidays have just begun, we can always wear the new clothes another day,” she said, with an air of ambivalence.
Her daughters Saniya, 7, and Sara, 8, wore colour-coordinated purple and red dresses, complete with matching hairbands and glittery cross-body bags. “Merry Christmas!” they exclaimed in unison, their eyes sparkling from under the fringes in the dusky evening light.
A few blocks away, a group of young men danced to blaring Bollywood music, singing along the mantras of “Munni badnaam” enthusiastically. Food stalls with piping hot samosas, pakoras and chips attracted little boys and girls, spending their “Eidi” on the edible goodies. The air echoed with squeals of children who crowded carousel rides, trampolines, merry-go-round, Ferris Wheel and banana boats.
Maha Yousaf, an eighth grader who had accompanied her family from Wah Cantonment to cherish the occasion in Islamabad, said “Christmas began with last night’s prayers, and since morning, we have been going around meeting our loved ones and devouring on sweets.”
In contrast to the subdued and simple celebrations at the Christian colony, local hotels went out of their way to decorate for Christmas.
At the Serena Hotel, for example, the lobby adorned a house carved out of ginger bread surrounded with cotton that resembled snow, glossy buntings, presents, a stuffed reindeer and a larger-than-life Christmas tree.
Much to the surprise of the visitors, a tall, “big-bodied” and suspiciously Pakistani-looking Santa with a thick, white beard, a perfect American accent went around, doling out presents and singing Christmas carols.
Hospitality professional Naveed Amir, who had come to the hotel for coffee with his family, said the occasion had become quieter in the city over the years.
“It used to be much more fun with carnivals and family gatherings. Things have definitely changed owing to security concerns,” he said.
His daughter, Mehwish, an advocate, who was visiting from England, said she enjoyed the occasion back home with family than anywhere else. “We decorated a Christmas tree at home and then went out for lunch,” she told The Express Tribune.
Mina Hlofi, a student who is on a visit from England and staying at the hotel, said she had written college applications for friends back home in the spirit of giving.
The Islamabad Police also held a ceremony at its Traffic headquarters to honour the Christian police personnel. Traffic Superintendent of Police Asmatullah Junejo said there is a need to promote interfaith harmony in the country.
“We are with you. Your duties in the force are as good as that of any of the other policemen and we acknowledge it,” Junejo told the Christian cops in attendance.
Christmas in Rawalpindi
Similarly, Christian community of Rawalpindi --- where tension has remained high between two religious groups since the Ashura violence--- celebrated Christmas with several church services and special prayers for peace.
“God, please help, we seek peace in this city,” Christians prayed aloud at Saint Paul’s Church on the Mall Road in Rawalpindi. “The people who are trying to sabotage peace of Rawalpindi may get sanity.”
Church-goers also remembered the victims of a bomb blast outside a Peshawar church in September.
Services were also held at midnight on Tuesday and noon on Wednesday at the Christ Church in Lal Kurti, Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church in Raja Bazaar and the St Andrew’s Church.
Tight security measures were taken by the police in both Rawalpindi and Islamabad and no untoward incident related to Christmas was reported till the filing of the story.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 26th, 2013.