Hyderabad: December 27, 2016. (By Abbas Kassar) Christian community in Hyderabad celebrated Christmas with enthusiasm, religious fervor like other parts of country. It all began with Mass service at midnight in all 27 churches of Hyderabad with tight security by administration. Main services were held at Thomas Church at civil lines and St. Philip church Tilk Chari. Attended by large number of Christian male and female and children Churches were decorated with colourful lightning while prayers were performed with Christmas songs. Addressing mass Bishop Kaleem John of Diocese Hyderabad church of Pakistan, Bishop Younis Gull and others highlighted importance of day and called upon community to follow message of Christ of peace and humanity. They said besides Muslims, Christians have also played due role in creation of Pakistan. They underlined unity among all people of Pakistan irrespective of religion. However the ceremony was celebrated with simplicity in honor of victims of Peshawar Army School children. Midnight services were held in all catholic and protestant churches after midnight and Thursday morning where bishops prayed for the students who lost their lives in army public school in Peshawar on Dec 16. Similar gatherings were held in all 43 catholic and 36 protestant churches in Sindh. Reverend Daniel Fiaz of protestant church said the celebrations remained simple and special prayers were held for the Peshawar tragedy victims. “We urged the community members to celebrate the day with simplicity,” he said. A large number of Christian men, women and children participated in the celebrations of their religious festival. They had worn new clothes especially for the day and women and children distributed sweets and gifts among each other. They prayed for the welfare and prosperity of the country. Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah felicitated the Christians especially those living in the province on the occasion of Christmas. In a message he said that the nation is with the Christian community in the celebration of Christmas. The Chief Minister also lauded the contributions of the Christian community, especially in the realms of education and health besides other sectors. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari extended his greetings to the Christians living in Pakistan and around the world on Christmas eve. “PPP is the political home for every Pakistani irrespective to their religion. We celebrate and mourn together as an integrated nation. Like Eid and Diwali, we will celebrate Christmas also together and share each other’s festivities,” he said. Streets, houses and buildings were decorated with the traditional Christmas tree and lights. Special Christmas cakes and candies were prepared as part of the festivities. People disguised as Santa Claus were busy distributing Christmas presents to children. The Christmas Train reached Lahore from Rawalpindi on its cross-country journey, where it was welcomed by the Federal Minister for Human Rights and Minority Affairs Kamran Michael on Saturday. The minister cut the Christmas cake on the occasion while a large number of people including the Christian community were also present to welcome the Peace Train. The Train will stay in Lahore till Monday and restart its journey to its final destination Karachi. Talking to media at Lahore Railway Station, Kamran Michael said that the Peace Train was a joint initiative of Pakistan Railways and Ministry of Human Rights with an objective to promote tolerance, peace and equality in the society. He said that the entire nation was united to eliminate terrorism and establish durable peace in Pakistan, and the Christian community stood shoulder to shoulder with the nation.