The Christian community in the country celebrated their biggest religious festival Christmas yesterday with due religious fervour and gaiety, seeking peace and prosperity of mankind all over the world.

According to Christian beliefs, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took birth on this day as a man and sacrificed his life for the salvation of mankind.

The day was celebrated in the country with special prayers, decoration of Christmas trees, distribution of  presents among children by Santa Claus and exchanging greetings among each other.

Churches across the country were illuminated with colourful lights and festoons to mark the occasion . Churches also organised prayers and cultural programmes. The day was a public holiday.

Security in the capital city and different places around the country was beefed up to ensure peaceful celebration of Christmas.

Shorot Gomes, auxiliary bishop of Dhaka, said Christmas brings happiness and peace among the people, and it is also a day of forgiveness.

(Left) Cardinal of Bangladesh Patrick D'Rozario presents a bouquet to President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban in Dhaka yesterday on the occasion of Christmas, the biggest religious festival of the Christian community. Photo: PID, Anurup Kanti Das

"In our prayers, we prayed for peace and prosperity of our country as well as mankind," he told The Daily Star at Kakrail Church.

Moni Gomes, a music teacher who participated in prayers at Rani Jopmala church in the capital's Farmgate area, said Christmas is the celebratory day among the Christian community as they can meet their friends and relatives at church and also have lots of fun.

"The greatness of the day will be fulfilled if we can make our souls pure following the ideals of Jesus Christ,” she said adding, "We prayed to God for the salvation of corrupted souls who are involved in terrorist activities and pray and wish that they are brought to live a normal life."

Nine-year-old Peter D'Rozario who came to the church with his parents said, "This is a special day for us as we go to churches and homes of our relatives and get different presents."

Christians offer prayers in a Patharghata church in Chittagong. Photo: PID, Anurup Kanti Das

In Barisal, more than 20,000 members of the three major Christian sects, amid tight security measures, celebrated the Christmas with lot of joys by arranging special prayers and discussions.

Six Christian Churches of the city, including Mother Teresa's Home and Christian Religious Training Centre, and other Christian institutions organised different types of programmes to mark the holy day.

In Narayanganj, Saint Paul's Church and Baptist Church organised several programmes to celebrate the day. Deputy Commissioner Rabbi Miah and Police Super Moinul Haque inaugurated the day's programme.