& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

Christmas celebrated

DU Correspondent
Christmas, the biggest religious festival of Christians,
was celebrated yesterday in Bangladesh like elsewhere in the world.
The Christians across the country observed the day. commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, with pledges to work for peace and upholding humanity.
They believe Jesus, the Son of God, took birth as a man and sacrificed his life for the salvation of mankind.
The churches in the city and elsewhere were decorated with colourful lights and illuminated Christmas trees with a star at its top.
Glittering stars were placed on the roofs of a number of houses, symbolising the mythical star that guided the Magi, the three wise men from the east, to the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem.
Several sessions of special prayers were held in churches on the Christmas Eve and yesterday morning. Musical and entertainment shows
SEE PAGE 15 COL 6
FROM PAGE 16
with singing of Christmas carols and hymns were staged before and after the prayers. Santa Claus also gave Christmas presents to children.
Hundreds of Christians thronged the city churches and hotels, where special arrangements were made to mark the day.
The Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Radisson Water Garden Hotel Dhaka and Dhaka Regency Hotel arranged special events including singing and games.
Security in the capital and other parts in the country was strengthened to ensure peaceful celebration of Christmas. Members of Rab and police were deployed at different strategic points.
President Zillur Rahman hosted a reception at Bangabhaban on the occasion for members of the Christian community.
Archbishop Paulinus Costa, foreign diplomats and professionals also joined the reception.
The president welcomed the guests and exchanged greetings with them. He also cut a huge Christmas cake for them.
State Minister for Religious Affairs M Shahjahan Miah and State Minister for Cultural Affairs Promod Mankin were also present at the reception.
Father Kamal Koraria, director of the Christian Communication Centre, said Christmas was observed peacefully across the country with great enthusiasm and festivity.
The largest Mass was held at the Tejgaon Church where about 8,000 people attended four prayer sessions.
Special Christmas prayers led by Father Archbishop Paulinus Costa were offered at the St Mary's Cathedral in Kakrail. Verses from the holy Bible were recited there.