Today is the Christmas Day, the birthday of Jesus Christ, first-century Jewish preacher and religious leader.
The Christians of different groups in Bangladesh and elsewhere across the world are celebrating the day amid great festivity and religious fervor.
They celebrate the day by offering special prayers, illuminating churches and installing makeshift Christmas trees at homes and places of worship and missions across the country.
Elderly people of the community, attired in the outfit of Santa Claus, usually make fun with children and distribute gifts among kids as part of a universal Christian practice.
But due to the ongoing pandemic, all are requested to celebrate the day by maintaining health rules.
The day is a public holiday.
In separate messages, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted members of the Christian community on the occasion.
They called upon the members of the Christians community to celebrate the holy day maintaining proper health guidelines.
In his message, President Hamid called upon the countrymen to abide by the health rules although the present situation of the pandemic is in control after the relentless efforts of the government.
The President called upon all to work unitedly to build a happy, prosperous and non-communal Bangladesh, envisioned by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, called upon the people irrespective of religion, caste and creed to unite for building a happy-prosperous 'Sonar Bangla (Golden Bangladesh)', being imbued with the spirit of the great Liberation War.
As the COVID-19 infection has currently made the whole world very upset, she urged everyone to celebrate Christmas this time by maintaining health rules, including the social distancing.
"Let's pray that the Great Creator makes our country and nation free from this lethal disease," the prime minister added.
Greeting the countrymen, specially the Christians, on this occasion, the premier wished all citizens peace, welfare and prosperity.
The national dailies publish special articles highlighting the importance of the Christmas.
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private radio stations and TV channels will air special programmes marking the festival.
