Christmas cheers begin
In separate messages, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus wished peace, welfare, and prosperity to the country's citizens on the day
Highlights:
- Christmas Day is being celebrated across the nation
- President Shahabuddin urges all to work together to build non-communal Bangladesh
- CA Yunus hopes Christmas will further strengthen existing camaraderie, harmony between Christians and other communities
The Christmas Day, commemorating the birthday of Jesus Christ, is being celebrated today with festivity across the country as elsewhere in the world.
The Christians are celebrating the festival amid festivity and religious fervour by offering special prayers, illuminating churches, and installing makeshift Christmas trees at homes and places of worship and missions.
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Elderly people of the community, attired in the outfit of Santa Claus, usually distribute gifts among kids as part of a universal Christian practice.
The day is a public holiday.
In separate messages, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus greeted members of the Christian community on the occasion.
They wished peace, welfare, and prosperity to the country's citizens, including Christians.
Instead of earthly life, Jesus Christ emphasised the importance of spiritual happiness through renunciation, restraint, and charity
President Shahabuddin, in his message, said Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony as people of all religions have been practising their religions and rituals independently in this country for a long time.
He urged all to work together to build a happy, prosperous, and non-communal Bangladesh.
Regarding Jesus Christ's contribution to society, the President said that Jesus taught people to be in a peaceful position with love, compassion, forgiveness, affection, empathy, and the establishment of justice.
"Instead of earthly life, Jesus Christ emphasised the importance of spiritual happiness through renunciation, restraint, and charity," Shahabuddin said.
The President thought that the teachings and ideals of Jesus Christ are very relevant in establishing peace and harmony in a trouble-torn world apart from establishing harmony and unity among nations.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, in his message, hoped that Christmas would further strengthen the existing camaraderie and harmony between Christians and other communities in the country.
The great Jesus sacrificed himself for the poor and starving people, while his ideal lifestyle and strict characteristics remain immortal in human history.
For thousands of years, he said, people of all religions, regardless of race, religion, or caste, have lived together in harmony in this country. People of all religions and communities have the ultimate freedom to practice their religion here.
Professor Muhammad Yunus said Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem on this day, and one of his vows was to establish a society free from exploitation by establishing justice and peace in the world.
The great Jesus, he mentioned, sacrificed himself for the poor and starving people, while his ideal lifestyle and strict characteristics remain immortal in human history.
Greeting the countrymen, especially the Christians, on this occasion, the Chief Adviser wished all citizens peace, welfare, and prosperity.
On the holy day, churches in the capital will be illuminated. At the same time, Christmas trees will be set up, and candles lit at abodes and churches by the Christian community to celebrate the event amid religious fervour.
According to tradition, Santa Claus distributes sweets and gifts among children in churches on this occasion.
This is a 'great day' for children in the Christian community, who sing carols on the occasion in praise of Jesus Christ and God and exchange gifts.
The national dailies published special articles highlighting the importance of Christmas.
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private radio stations and TV channels aired special programmes marking the festival.
