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Members of the Christian community in Bangladesh Sunday celebrated the holy Christmas in memory of the birthday of Jesus Christ with enthusiasm, festivities and religious fervour, reports BSS.
The celebration started at zero hours last night with chimes of church bells and traditional midnight mass at the churches of all Christian denominations. The programmes of the day, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ at Bethlehem 2005 years ago, include special prayers for peace, singing Christmas carols, cutting cakes, Santa Claus presenting gifts to children, illumination and decoration of Christmas trees.
Churches and houses were also illuminated and family reunions and feasts with family members, friends and neighbours were other features of the day.
All churches in the city, including the St. Mary's Cathedral at Kakrail, AG Church at Eskaton, New Appotolis Church at Dilu Road, Baptist Church at New Eskaton and Baptist Church at Kafrul were tastefully decorated and illuminated on the day.
Special prayers were offered in those churches. The Holy Cross at Lakkhibazar and churches at Tejgaon, Banani, Asad Gate and Kafrul also took similar programmes. The day was a public holiday.
President Iajuddin Ahmed and his wife Anwara Begum hosted a reception for the members of the Christian community at the Bangabhaban in the city Sunday.
Archbishop Michael Rozario, members of different Churches and leading members of the community attended the reception.
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Sheikh Hasina in separate messages greeted country's
Christian community marking the holy Christmas.
Leaders of other religious communities also greeted the Christian community and recalled the noble teachings of Jesus Christ relating to dissemination of love and cementing ties among people.
The government has strengthened security measures around the city's churches and at 350 other churches across the country for celebration of the Christmas in a peaceful manner.
State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar accompanied by senior police officials visited different city churches and exchanged greetings with the priests and members of the Christian community.
Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka Sheraton and some other leading hotels also chalked out different programmes on the occasion.
Public and private TV channels aired special programmes, while national dailies published special articles highlighting the significance of the day.
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