Christmas celebrated across valley with religious fervour

Amid bone chilling cold, Christmas, birthday of Jesus christ , was celebrated throughout the valley on sunday  with religious fervour and zeal .on this occasion a group of muslim community joined Christian community visiting catholic church  in Srinagar to share the joyous occasion with their christian brothers.
Reports said the Muslims distributed sweets, exchanged greetings with the Christian brethren and also wore Santa hats to share the joy and celebrate the festival.
The muslim group said that they came to the Church to celebrate the festival with their Christian brethren and to spread the message of communal harmony, brotherhood and peace.
They further said that this is a small community here and they feel isolated on such occasions. So, we took this opportunity and came here to celebrate the festival with our Christian brethren.”
Elsewhere churches across Srinagar, Gulmarg, Baramulla and Anantnag were decorated with lights, balloons and ribbons to celebrate Christmas. Reports said churches across the Valley were decorated with Christmas trees, buntings and lights.
The chilly weather didn’t stop people, especially small kids from attending the churches for special prayer meetings. They were seen wearing new winter clothes on the occasion.
“Christmas is a message of love, joy and happiness. Celebrating Christmas in Kashmir is a special occasion as people from across the world visit here during winter and come to churches and celebrate Christmas,” said Father Brito of All Saints Catholic Church, MA Road in Srinagar.“Our Muslim brothers have always stood by us and Christmas is an occasion which gives us an opportunity to share that joy, happiness and brotherhood with each other,” he said.