The holy Christmas, the biggest religious festival of the Christians, was celebrated in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world yesterday with a call to further strengthen the tradition of communal harmony in the country.
According to Christian’s faith, the Xmas is the celebration of rebirth, new beginning, forgiveness and peace, and renewing relationship with God and human beings.
Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ on the day, which is a public holiday in Bangladesh and the most other countries of the world.
On the occasion, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages by greeting the members of the Christian community.
The Christians in Bangladesh celebrated the Xmas festival with huge enthusiasm and religious fervor and holding special prayers, illuminating churches and installing makeshift Xmas trees at homes and places of worship and missions.
Ringing of church bells in the midnight marked the advent of the day when the followers of the faith welcomed it with carols assembling in churches and other such venues.
Churches and adjoining areas were decked out with colourful tiny blinking lights, while illuminated Christmas trees placed with a star standing right on top as elder people of the community attired in the outfit of Santa Claus made fun with children and distributed gifts as part of a universal Christian practice. The security was beefed up at different strategic points in the capital and many other places of the country to ensure peaceful celebration of the festival.
President Abdul Hamid yesterday called upon all to play an effective role from their respective positions in strengthening the glorious tradition of communal harmony across the country. “People of all religions here are tied with mutual love and harmony… All have to play an effective role to strengthen our glorious tradition of harmony”, he said while exchanging of greetings with members of the Christian community on the occasion of Christmas Day at Bangabhaban here yesterday.
Noting that the country has a long illustrious communal harmony, the President categorically urged all to work together for building a happy, prosperous and non-communal Bangladesh.
Abdul Hamid greeted the people of Christian community on the occasion. President Hamid and Rashida Khanam hosted the reception at the President Palace where a Christmas trees were set up with candles lit.
Cardinal of Bangladesh Patrick D’Rozario, ambassadors and representatives from different foreign missions, distinguished persons of the Christian community, religious leaders and professionals joined the reception.
A group of singers performed the Christmas carol at the reception. Later, President Hamid cut a Christmas cake with members of the Christian community.
