Christmas celebrations formally commenced by the Christian community across Azad Jammu and Kashmir to celebrate sacred festival of Christmas on 25th of December in various parts of AJK, wherever the Christians live. Head of Christian Welfare Trust and Women Wing AJK Younis Bhatti said that all preparations to celebrate Christmas have yet been given final touches. He unveiled their plans to celebrate Christmas in AJK, where a large number of Christians are inhibiting in the adjoining town of Mangla.

The religious festival will be celebrated by the Christian community with full traditional religious enthusiasm in AJK, Younis said on Tuesday. In Mirpur the advent of Christmas celebrations will be followed by a formal inaugural ceremony to be held at adjoining town of Mangla a day before Christian. Community leader Reverend will formally inaugurate the ceremonies by cutting a cake and special prayer service.

These celebration ceremonies, would continue till December 25. Praising the traditional communal harmony between majority Muslim and the minority Christian communities he pointed out that with the blessings of Allah (Almighty) there had never been any tension between the majority Muslims and the minority Christian community – since they pass their lives without intervening into each other affairs by fully respecting the religious and moral parameters of each other.

Bhatti said that the festivities of Christmas comprise special prayer services to be held at the local District Council Hall on December 25 besides at their major abode – Mangla with the renewal of the pledge to continue spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ (AS). The Christian community leader said that “They will offer special prayers for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan”.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-INP