by Gulrukh Tausif

Created on: December 02, 2009   Last Updated: December 29, 2009

Christmas traditions and celebrations in Pakistan

Pakistan is a Muslim dominant country in South Asia but Christmas in Pakistan is celebrated with a lot traditional and religious zeal.

The preparations for the festival are witnessed in full swing with the onset of December. Markets see a flurry of rush and activity and hordes of shoppers are seen at bakeries, garment stores, jewelers, toy shops and florists, where people are busy buying gifts for family and friends. Churches and homes are decorated with glittering Christmas trees and stars. There is a sharp increase in sales of Christmas cards in days preceding Christmas.

All big hotels and shopping malls across the country are decorated according to the Christmas theme. A big, jolly Santa Claus is usually around to welcome customers and distribute sweets and small gifts much to the joy of young children. Nativity plays are held in missionary schools to highlight the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.

The religious celebrations begin with special midnight services on Christmas Eve while the Christmas day services are held on the morning of the Christmas Day. Mass services are held at various churches across the country where people gather with candles in their hands to offer their prayers. They are led by the bishops and the respective hierarchy of the Christian clergy in the churches.

Hymns are sung at the beginning of the services after which the story of the Christ's birth is narrated through Old and New Testament. The bishops and other clergymen give lectures on peace, solidarity and brotherhood, and pray to the God for the welfare and prosperity of the people and progress and stability of the country.

In Rawalpindi and Islamabad, large congregations are held at the St. Joseph's Cathedral and the Christ Church. In major churches of Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Faisalabad, large congregations are also witnessed. Special Christmas bazaars and cultural shows are arranged to raise money for churches and the Christian community.

Pakistan Television and other private channels, Radio Pakistan and newspapers highlight Christmas spirit and celebrations. Special print editions are taken out to highlight the importance of the Christmas Day with special messages from leading Christian leaders of the country.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Pakistan also extends financial assistance to the needy members of Christian community to help them celebrate the event. All government servants and pensioners belonging to the Christian community receive their pension and salaries early in the month of December so that they can also celebrate this special day.

One of the salient features of Christmas celebrations in Pakistan is the exchange of Christmas cakes between Muslim and Christian communities. Bakers have to work overtime to meet the heavy demand of the large variety of cakes. Among the favorites are the plum cake, chocolate cake, fruit cake and the icing cakes. There is a stiff competition among bakeries to cater to the demands of the Christian clientele on this occasion.

Christmas in Pakistan is all about joyous festivities, age-old traditions and Christmas dinners. In spite of some tragic incidents of intolerance and discrimination against the Christian community in the past, the majority of the people of Pakistan welcomes, enjoys and participates in the festive occasion of Christmas with their Christian brethren.

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