Christians in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the world are today celebrating Christmas commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas, the biggest religious festival of the Christians, is also a celebration of rebirth, new beginning, forgiveness and peace. For the believers, it is an occasion to renew relationship with God and humans.
On the Christmas Eve, Christian believers of the country yesterday wished peace and prosperity for all.
The Archbishop House at Kakrail in the capital began the celebration through cutting of a cake in the noon. Archbishop Paulinus Costa, DD, of Dhaka on the occasion said Jesus Christ had come on the earth to make man free.
According to Christian belief, Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in a stable in the city of Bethlehem on this day.
The day is a public holiday in Bangladesh as in many other countries.
President Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia greeted Christians in the country in separate messages.
Marking the carnival, Christians will offer special prayers in churches.
Churches and adjoining areas have already been decked out with colourful tiny blinking lights. Illuminated Christmas trees have been placed with a star standing right on top. Santa Claus will hand out Christmas gifts to the children.
Special dishes will be prepared in the families of members of the community and the children will seek blessings from the elders.
In Dhaka, the celebrations began on Christmas Eve with Christmas carol in hotel lobbies, restaurants, lounges and other public places.
The Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka Sheraton, Dhaka Radisson and Dhaka Westin arranged parties featuring carols, games and dance performances.
Security measures have been beefed up in the capital and elsewhere in the country to ensure peaceful celebration of the day.
As many as 5,300 members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and around 7,000 members of police will remain alert at churches, its adjacent areas and other Christian majority places across the country to ensure security, said Rab and police officials.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Benzir Ahmed told journalists that police will remain “extra alert”, as the celebration comes a day before a countrywide hartal called by an Islamic ogranisation.
Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad, Bangladesh Christian Association, Mahanagar Sarbojaneen Puja Committee and Bangladesh Chhatra Jubo Oikya Parishad in separate messages, also greeted the Christians.
