KP Christian community celebrates Christmas

PESHAWAR: The Christian community celebrated Christmas in Peshawar and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with traditional zeal and fervour on Wednesday.

Several functions were arranged in the provincial metropolis and elsewhere in KP to mark the festival.Special prayers were offered in churches in the city, Cantt and other parts of the city. The Christian community members prayed for the prosperity of the country as well.

The biggest programme was arranged at the St John’s Cathedral - the oldest place of worship constructed between 1851 AD to 1860 AD.The cathedral was decorated for the occasion. The people exchanged Christmas greetings after offering the special mass. The families were seen taking selfies and being photographed next to the Christmas trees and the majestic building of the church which is part of the rich architectural heritage of Peshawar for its beautiful structure. A cake-cutting ceremony was arranged where Minister for Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Syed Qasim Al Shah was the chief guest. The minister and Bishop Humphrey Sarfaraz Peters along with others cut a cake to mark the Christmas celebrations.

Chief Traffic Officer Saud Khan handed gifts to the children from the Christian community to share their joys. The children and their parents were happy with the gesture and thanked the official for that. In his message, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi extended congratulations to the Christian community across the country, on the occasion of Christmas.

He said the message of Christmas was one of love, peace, tolerance, and brotherhood values that form the foundation of human life.The governor acknowledged the contributions of the Christian community in the development, prosperity, and stability of the country. He pointed out that Pakistan’s constitution ensured equal rights

Deputy Commissioner Nowshera Ikramullah Mehsud congratulated the Christian Community on Christmas.After cutting a cake with the Christians on the occasion, he said all religions emphasized peace and interfaith harmony.

He said he was pleased to participate in the happiness of the Christian community.The official distributed gifts among them.The Christian community celebrated Christmas with traditional zeal and devotion in Bannu and Karak districts

In Bannu, Deputy Commissioner Abdul Hameed Khan and Additional Deputy Commissioner Aminullah Khan visited the churches located in the city and cantonment areas and expressed solidarity with the community members.

They along with elders of the Christian community cut the Christmas cakes and congratulated the Christians on this special day. Wazir subdivision assistant commissioner Khayyam Nasir was also present.Karak Deputy Commissioner Shakil Ahmad Jan along with DPO Shahbaz Elahi also paid a visit to the church to felicitate the Christian community on Christmas celebrations.