Christmas Day, the biggest religious festival of Christians, was celebrated across Bangladesh on Thursday amid prayers, church services and festive gatherings, with tourist centres and Christian-populated areas witnessing large crowds.
Jhenaidah
Christmas Day was celebrated in Jhenaidah at 48 churches with various programmes. The festivities formally began on Thursday morning with prayers and cake cutting.
According to the District Christian Association, Christmas celebrations are being held this year at 13 churches in Sadar Upazila, 14 in Shailkupa, three in Harinakundu, 17 in Kaliganj, two in Kotchandpur and one in Moheshpur Upazila.
Cox’s Bazar
The country’s prime tourist destination turned festive as thousands of visitors thronged Cox’s Bazar during the public holiday.
From early morning, the city and beach areas were crowded with tourists from home and abroad.
Along the world’s longest sea beach, visitors enjoyed sunsets, family outings and time with friends beside the waves, giving the resort town a celebratory look.
Chuadanga
Christmas was observed in Chuadanga with due religious solemnity and festive spirit through day-long programmes at churches and Christian neighbourhoods.
From Thursday morning, special prayers and worship were held at the Baptist Church in Kapasdanga Missionpara under Damurhuda Upazila.
Church leader Babul Bairagi led the prayers, seeking peace, prosperity and wellbeing for the country and its people, with men, women, youths and children participating.
Tangail
In Tangail’s Madhupur Garo hills, Christmas was celebrated with colourful arrangements among the Christian community.
At Jolchhatra Christian Parish Church, church head pastor Nirjan Sim Sang addressed worshippers, highlighting the life of Jesus Christ and his humanitarian ideals, while urging self-purification and prayers for a peaceful and happy new year.
Jashore
Jashore marked Christmas with religious reverence and festive decoration.
At Sacred Heart Cathedral Church, special prayers began at 9pm on Wednesday, ushered in by the ringing of church bells.
The church was adorned with colourful lights and a nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. Hundreds of Christian men, women and children joined the prayers, during which Father Nicholas Mondol sprinkled holy water.
Meherpur
Day-long prayers and religious observances were held across Meherpur, with special services organised simultaneously at 29 churches.
The main Christmas rituals began with early morning prayers, including services at Bhoberpara Church in Mujibnagar Upazila, alongside similar observances at other churches across the district.
Netrokona
Christmas celebrations began in Christian-populated areas of Durgapur and Kalmakanda in Netrakona through prayers and religious rituals.
In Birishiri’s Utrail Christian Parish, night-long and morning prayers were held, conveying the message of Jesus Christ’s mission of truth and justice and seeking peace for all.
Devotional singing continued through the night as worshippers shared the message of Christ’s birth.
Khagrachari
In Khagrachari, Christmas was celebrated with religious dignity and enthusiasm through various programmes at churches across the district.
From Thursday morning, special prayers and worship were held at Khagrapur Baptist Church, with members of the Christian community joining day-long observances marking the birth of Jesus Christ.
