ISLAMABAD: Dressed as Santa Claus in a busy neighbourhood of Rawalpindi district on Christmas Eve, 12-year-old Rashid Anwar was in seventh heaven while decorating his street with fairy lights, candles, Christmas wreaths and other exquisite ornaments.
“I had been anxiously waiting for Christmas as it is one of the festivals that brings along happiness, peace and contentment, not only for Christians but for all the communities of the country,” Anwar told Xinhua gleefully.
“My siblings and I have bought new clothes, shoes and toys, and we will be sharing our joy with other children of our area by distributing gifts and food among them,” he said, adding that a special feast with a variety of delicious dishes at his place is being organized for friends and family to revel in the joy of the occasion.
The festivities of Christmas are in full swing across the world including Pakistan, where the occasion is a source of immense pleasure for the Christian community, which celebrates the festival by indulging in extravagant shopping, holding family get-togethers, and splendid banquets.
Markets, public spots, parks and restaurants are crowded with people engaged in merrymaking. Special prayers are being offered in churches for the peace and prosperity of the country.
To ensure a peaceful atmosphere and maintain law and order on Christmas Day, the law enforcement agencies in Pakistan have made fool-proof security arrangements in all the major cities of the country, according to government officials.
Felicitating the Christian community in Pakistan and around the world on the auspicious occasion of Christmas, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that Christmas gave a message of universal love, brotherhood, tolerance, and sacrifice, which played a crucial role in putting society on the path of development.
He said that the Christian community in Pakistan played a positive role in every walk of life including defense, judiciary, and education, and contributed to the progress and development of the country.
“This country belongs to us all and on the occasion of Christmas let us pledge to make Pakistan an example of religious tolerance, brotherhood and peace and play our role to take it out of difficulties,” Sharif added.
Talking to Xinhua, Perveen Razia, a private company manager in Islamabad, said that being a Christian and a resident of a Muslim-dominated country like Pakistan, she never felt the Christmas holidays are less cheery or festive as the whole nation gets into a celebratory mood, sharing the joy and festivities of the occasion.
“My Muslim neighbour has sent us gifts and sweets in the morning and also invited us for a Christmas dinner at their house […] the love, kindness and cordiality shown by them have won our hearts,” said the 40-year-old mother of two children.
“Such festivals act as a bridge between different communities having different religions, cultures and ethnicities, spreading a message of peace, unity and harmony among the people,” Razia said.
Shamera Allan, a 35-year-old fashion designer in eastern Lahore city, has organized an event related to Christmas, showcasing various products including Christmas trees and decorations, flower bouquets, jewelry, and clothes as well as food stalls and gaming zones for children.
“We had not been able to arrange such events over the last two years owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, but as the government had scrapped the restrictions in March this year, the Christmas holidays are a lot more fun than before,” she said, adding that a large number of families since the morning have been visiting the venue and showing keen interest, especially in Christmas trees and decorations.
“Christmas is a season of great joy, and I wish the happiness and charm of Christmas remained in our hearts forever,” she added.
