ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday extended his heartfelt felicitations to Christians in Pakistan and around the world on the joyous occasion of Christmas, his office said.
On Tuesday, Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of Israel’s war on Gaza. The excitement and cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found, with the festive lights, Christmas trees and foreign tourists missing.
Celebrations were subdued elsewhere too. Scores of Syrian Christians protested on Tuesday in Damascus, demanding protection after the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama the day before. In a video that circulated on social media, a representative of Syria’s new leadership, Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham, could be seen visiting the site and addressing the community: “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations.”
In his statement, PM Sharif urged people to reflect on the message of peace, brotherhood, and love for all humanity by Prophet Jesus, and to adopt the enduring values such as compassion, kindness, mercy and wisdom to seek divine mercy.
“On this day, we also pay tribute to the invaluable contributions made by our Christian brethren to the progress and stability of the country, particularly in the fields of education, health care, and nation-building,” he said.
“The government of Pakistan remains firmly committed to safeguarding the rights of all religious communities and fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding.”
According to the latest digital census conducted last year, over 96 percent of Pakistan’s population is Muslim, with the remaining four percent comprising 5.2 million Hindus, 3.3 million Christians, 15,992 Sikhs and others.
Religiously motivated Pakistani ultra-conservative groups have conducted attacks on Pakistani minorities. There have been dozens of instances of mob violence against religious minorities in the South Asian nation in recent years, including an attack on Christians in Jaranwala, a town in Punjab province, where churches, homes and businesses were set ablaze in August 2023.
Sharif vowed his government would continue to ensure that people of all faiths could practice their beliefs freely and contribute to the collective progress of the nation.
“May this Christmas bring joy and blessings to every home, and may the coming year be filled with hope, peace, and success for our beloved country and its people,” he said. “Merry Christmas!“
