PESHAWAR: Different events were held on Tuesday in various parts of the province to celebrate Christmas wherein speakers stressed the need for joint efforts to establish sustainable peace in the country.

The participants of the events cut cakes and exchanged Christmas greetings. All the churches in Peshawar were decorated and illuminated for the occasion. Tight security arrangements were made for the occasion. Police were deployed at the main gates and around churches to thwart any untoward incident. The volunteers of Christian community were also checking the participants of the events.

About 1,000 police personnel were deployed at churches across the city to ensure peace. SSP Javed Iqbal said that police also increased mobile patrolling in the city.

Major events of Christmas in Peshawar were held in four churches. Head of Church of Pakistan Bishop Humphrey Sarfraz Peter presided over the event at the Saint John’s Cathedral in Saddar. CPO Qazi Jamilur Rehman also participated in the cake cutting ceremony to express solidarity with the community.

Another big event was held at All Saints’ Church at Kohati Gate in Peshawar city where the services were led by Pastor Shehzad. The relatives of the victims of the 2013 twin-blasts also participated in the event. Prayers were offered for the victims and their families.

The bishop and other speakers in different churches stressed the need for joint efforts to establish sustainable peace in the country. They said that like other religions, Christianity also preached love, brotherhood, peaceful coexistence and tolerance.

They urged people of different beliefs to develop understanding of each other’s religions, preach tolerance and work jointly for peace and development.

Javed Masih, the secretary of the Saint John’s Cathedral, told Dawn that big congregations were held at different churches in Saddar and other parts of the city.

He said that prayers were offered for restoration of peace and tranquility in the country. He said that in their sermons the priests stressed the need for strengthening relations with other communities and working for maintenance of peace in their respective areas.

The Christmas prayers were also offered at different places including Swato Phattak, Sufaid Dheri, Peshtakhara, Christian Colony, Zargarabad, Yakatoot, Academy Town, Tehkal, University Town, University Campus and tribal districts.

The cake cutting events were also held under the aegis of different government and private organisations including Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar, All Pakistan Minority Alliance and Peace and Culture Organisation.

In Mohmand tribal district, the main event of Christmas was held in Catholic Church in Ghalanai.

FC personals were deployed at the church to thwart any untoward incident. Commandant Mohmand Rifles Col Mohammad Irfan Ali was chief guest while other security officials were also present at the cake cutting ceremony.

In Haripur, Christmas was celebrated amid tight security in Haripur. The priests led the services at the churches and pledged their loyalty to Pakistan. They offered prayers for the prosperity of the country, sustainable peace and interfaith harmony.

The main events were held at Saint John Church Haripur, Church of Pakistan Ghazi, Catholic Church and Evangelical Churches of Ghazi in the district.

ASP Zulfiqar Jadoon also attended the event.

In Chitral, a function was held in the Commissariat situated near Chitral Scouts headquarters to celebrate Christmas.

The members of Christian community performed their religious rites and rituals meant for the occasion. The event was attended by men, women and children in a large number.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Khurshid Alam Mehsud and ADC Minhasuddin visited the community and gave away special prizes to its members on the behalf of district administration.

They assured the members of Christian community that the administration would extend full support to them to resolve their problems and issues.

The leaders of the Christian community said that they enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of Chitral and as they were treated kindly and equally by the Muslim community.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2018