The Christian community on Wednesday celebrated the Christmas Day in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world with festivity and religious fervour commemorating the birthday of Jesus Christ.
The Christian people offered special prayers on the day with illuminating churches and installing makeshift Christmas trees at homes and places of worship and missions.
Elderly people of the community, attired in the outfit of Santa Claus, usually make fun with children and distribute gifts among kids as part of a universal Christian practice.
Various programmes were arranged to celebrate Christmas Day in all churches, including St. Mary's Cathedral Church in city's Kakrail area and in famous city hotels including InterContinental, Pan Pacific Sonargaon, The Westin and Radisson.
The day was 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 of all citizens, including Christians, of the country.
On the day, churches in the capital were illuminated while Christmas trees were set up and candles were lit at abodes and churches by the Christian community to celebrate the event amid religious fervor.
Following the tradition, Santa Claus distributed sweets and gifts among children in churches on the occasion. This was a 'great day' for children in the Christian community as they got interesting gifts. Carolers sang Charismas carols praising Jesus Christ and God.
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.
The government maintained nationwide tight security for peaceful celebrations of the Christmas Day.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his wife Dr Rebeka Sultana hosted a reception ceremony this noon at Bangabhaban's Durbar Hall on the occasion.
The president extended his sincere and warm greetings to the Christians of the country and the people of the world as well.
He also cut a Merry Christmas cake to mark the birthday of Jesus Christ.
He exchanged greetings with Christian religious leaders and also took part in the photo-session.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus exchanged greetings with representatives of the Christian community on the occasion of Happy Christmas Day at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday.
Christian leaders specially thanked the interim government for donating Taka 2.5 crore to the Christian Religious Welfare Trust on the occasion of the Christmas.
The Christian faith leaders said the donation was distributed to all churches across the country.
Christian leaders presented a copy of Bible to the chief adviser.
Leaders of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad on Tuesday greeted members of the Christian community as well as the countrymen marking Christmas Day.
