ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Christian community is observing Christmas today. Christmas in Pakistan is a significant occasion for the country’s Christian community, which makes up about 1.5% of the population.
To celebrate the occasion the government of Pakistan has announced a public holiday. The holiday is also known as “Bara Din,” which means “the big day” in Urdu, and it’s a time for families and friends to gather, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional Christmas foods.
Christians in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are celebrating the holiday with their holy zeal and fervor. Prayers were held early morning in the holy churches with a message of love and peace in the world.
Festive Celebrations
After the prayers, the community gathered for the cake cutting ceremony which was later distributed amongst the participants of the event. The prayers included holy jingle often known ”Geet”. Children dressed in Santa Claus costume gave candies to express their feeling of joy.
People decorated their homes and outside places in traditional Christmas trees and Santa Claus images. Traditional items like swing, camel, well, bridges were made to signify the importance of the item used by Hazrat Isa Ibne Maryam. Churches were also decorated with lights and statues of important figures in Christian ideology.
In addition to shopping for Christmas on the moon night yesterday, Christian families also took part in special night vigil services at the churches.
There was a special walk organized in which the Christian community gathers and walk towards the church humming the jingles and holding candles to showcase spiritual ethnicity.
The twin cities’ marketplaces, retail establishments, and business districts stayed open until late. Unfailing plans have been put in place to manage traffic during Christmas shopping in Saddar Bazaars’ commercial districts.
Christian families claim that this year’s Christmas shopping has significantly decreased due to the current economic climate, which is characterized by rising inflation. In honor of Christmas, the government has granted Christian staff three holidays.
With police officers stationed at every church, the district administration and police have created a thorough security strategy to guarantee church safety.
Commandos have also been posted on the roofs of the major churches on Murree Road, Saddar Road, and Mall Road.
President and PM’s Message on the Occasion
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have renewed the commitment to safeguard the rights of all religious communities and foster an environment of mutual respect and understanding in the country.
In their messages on the occasion of Christmas being celebrated today, they extended their heartfelt felicitations to the Christian brethren in Pakistan and around the world.
President Asif Ali Zardari said Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the fundamental rights of all citizens, irrespective of their faith.
He said upholding the rights of all citizens is essential for fostering national unity and progress.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, vowed to continue to ensure that people of all faiths can practice their beliefs freely and contribute to the collective progress of our nation.
He also paid tribute to the invaluable contributions made by Christian community for the progress and stability of Pakistan.
