Christmas being celebrated today

President, PM vow to make efforts for welfare of minorities

ISLAMABAD: The Christians in the country and across the globe will celebrate Christmas Day on Friday, with festivity and religious zeal.

The celebrations will begin on Christmas eve with prayer services in churches. The festivities will include distributing gifts among children, singing hymns, prayers, and attending mass.

Christians will offer special prayers, and decorate Christmas trees at homes and places of worship. In Pakistan, Christmas preparations are in full swing.

Christmas trees have been decorated and the churches have been illuminated with special lights.

The Christian community living in the twin cities has also decorated their homes and streets with Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, ornaments, tableware, lights, stockings etc. Gifts are also kept besides Christmas trees for children.

President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have reiterated that the government of Pakistan will continue making every possible effort for the welfare and betterment of minorities.

“The present democratic government is committed to pursue policies that are aimed at creating greater harmony and cohesion among people of different faiths,” the president said in his message on the occasion of Christmas, being celebrated across the globe and Pakistan on Friday.

The president extended his heartiest greetings to the Christian brethren all over the world and in particular to those living in Pakistan.

He said the equality of all the citizens of the state had been enshrined in our Constitution which was made abundantly clear by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947.

“Let me reiterate that we would continue our efforts to fight religious intolerance. Let it also be made clear that we will not permit the persecution of members of other faiths in the name of religion,” the president added.

He also acknowledged and appreciated the valuable contributions made by the Christian brethren in Pakistan in all fields.

“The nation is proud of their great contributions in the development of the country and deeply admires their loyalty to the state and commitment to obedience to the law. I have no doubt that they will continue to play their positive role for peace, progress and prosperity of Pakistan,” he added.

The president said Christmas, the celebration of birth of Jesus Christ, is an occasion to rejoice and celebrate.On this day, the world got a Messiah who brought a message of love, peace, tolerance and compassion for humanity.

“It is time to re-dedicate ourselves to follow the noble ideals of Jesus Christ and work individually as well as collectively for the betterment and welfare of humanity and to contribute our share in making the world a safer place to live.

Jesus Christ guided people to virtuous living and urged them to seek divine mercy from God. We, as Muslims, deeply revere Jesus Christ as one of the great messengers of Allah Almighty. His teachings and message of love and peace is as relevant to us as it is to our Christian brethren. Indeed, his message of love, compassion and sacrifice is relevant to the entire humanity,” the president said.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in his message said that the present government would continue to safeguard the rights and privileges, enjoyed by all minorities.

“Being the equal citizens of the state, the government will empower them to use their abilities for national development, progress and prosperity. Our policies are geared towards creating harmony and cohesion amongst people of all faiths,” the prime minister said.

He expressed the confidence that the Christian brethren would continue to play their due role in the development of Pakistan with complete dedication.

On the joyous day of Christmas, the prime minister also wished merry Christmas to the Christian brethren in Pakistan and all over the world.

He said the Jesus Christ was sent to this world as a symbol of peace, brotherhood and respect for the entire humanity. He not only healed the ailing humanity but preached the divine values of tolerance, love and compassion, he added.

The prime minister said Christmas was a time for celebration and rejoicing for Christians all over the world.

“It is also time to reflect on the messages and teachings of Jesus Christ; the message of love, peace, tolerance and compassion for humanity. It is time of re-dedication to his teachings and to seek forgiveness for sins. We, as Muslims deeply revere Jesus Christ as one of the great messengers of Allah Almighty,” he said.

Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan’s Constitution enshrined Quaid-i-Azam’s vision and safeguarded the legitimate interests of all minorities living in the country.

The Quaid had, right from the first day of creation of Pakistan, unequivocally declared a policy of equality, freedom and security for all communities living in Pakistan irrespective of their religion, profession or ethnic origin, the prime minister remarked.