Christmas Day, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, was celebrated across Bangladesh on Thursday with religious devotion, colourful festivities and renewed calls for peace, compassion and communal harmony.
Churches across the country were illuminated with decorative lights as members of the Christian community gathered for special prayers, hymns and congregational services to mark their biggest religious festival.
Homes, churches and mission centres were adorned with Christmas trees and ornaments, while children received gifts from elders dressed as Santa Claus – a familiar tradition observed in many parts of the country.
In Dhaka, the capital, the Christian community marked the public holiday with special church services, carol singing and festive gatherings.
Churches and neighbourhoods were illuminated with decorative lights, and families and friends exchanged greetings and shared meals.
Events including Christmas carnivals and family celebrations were reported in residential areas and hotels, offering community-oriented festivities for children and adults alike throughout the day.
In Tangail’s Madhupur region, Christmas was celebrated with particular enthusiasm.
The main program took place at Jalchhatra Christ Dharmapalli Church, where Church President Pastor Nirjan Sim Song highlighted the humanitarian ideals of Jesus Christ and urged devotees to practise self-purification and peaceful coexistence.
After prayers, congregational hymns were performed, while traditional pitha festivals were organized in several villages, including Mominpur, Jalchhatra and Pirgachha.
Festivities in Madhupur began on Wednesday night with cake-cutting ceremonies at local churches, followed by groups of men, women and children visiting homes and performing kirtan as part of the celebrations.
In Sunamganj, Christmas was observed peacefully in at least 25 churches across the district on Wednesday and Thursday.
Celebrations began at midnight on December 24 and continued throughout December 25 with prayers, Bible readings, hymns and cake cutting.
A special prayer attended by around 400 Catholic Christians was held at Saint Thomas Church in Narayantala, a border village.
Additional Superintendent of Police Rakibul Hasan Russell said adequate security measures were taken in advance, with police deployed in and around church areas to ensure law and order.
In Bandarban, Christmas was celebrated with religious fervour in a festive atmosphere that reflected the district’s tradition of communal harmony.
Joint prayer services were held at the Baptist Church and Fatima Rani Dharmapalli Catholic Church, with devotees praying for peace, happiness and prosperity in the coming year.
Magura also witnessed colourful observances, as churches across the district hosted prayer sessions, Bible recitations and hymns from early morning.
Christian families marked the day by sharing traditional food and spending time together.
Christmas was also celebrated with devotion and festivity in districts including Sherpur, Barguna, Natore, Rajshahi, Jhenaidah, Rangamati and elsewhere, underscoring Bangladesh’s enduring spirit of religious harmony and coexistence.
