With Christmas just around the corner, the city’s churches, cathedrals and predominantly Christian residential areas are awash with colour and light.

Houses and streets in Westridge, Asghar Mall, Satellite Town, Dhoke Hassu, Sadiqabad, Kuri Road and Lal Kurti have taken on a festive appearance, and many people have put up their Christmas trees and decorated them with colourful lights and tinsel.

During a visit to these localities, people can be seen rehearing Christmas carols, which can be heard around the neighbourhood.

The otherwise quiet St Joseph’s Cathedral has also come alive over the last few days, as people from the twin cities engage in preparations for the holidays. Although the cathedral’s management makes arrangements of the congregation, a group of young volunteers known as the Youth of St Joseph’s Cathedral also spend their days giving the cathedral a festival look despite the cold weather.

“In the Lal Kurti area one can see the interfaith harmony, as Muslims and Christians help each other celebrate Christmas and Eid Miladun Nabi. Our Muslim friends help us celebrate Christmas in a befitting manner, and we help them on Eid Miladun Nabi,” Justin Samuel, the head of the volunteers at St Joseph’s, told Dawn. He said a group is formed to decorate the cathedral. All the members are volunteers, and they donate money for this purpose.

“People also exchange gifts. Kids are especially thrilled at discovering their gifts under the Cypress trees – commonly known as Christmas trees – in the morning, or in the stockings hung near the fireplace, believed to have been left quietly by Santa Clause in the night,” Mr Samuel added.

“Santa Claus is the main attraction for the children. They love the gifts Santa leaves for them,” Sami Francis, a Lal Kurti resident, said. He added that most children wish for dolls and toy cars.

“We save money to buy new clothes, shoes and jewellery for the girls for Christmas,” Sadiqabad resident Gul Faraz said, adding: “The inflation has forced the poor to celebrate the ‘Bara Din’ by borrowing money.”

He said he had borrowed money to make new clothes for his nine children and his wife. The residents of slum areas are poor, Mr Faraz said, but everyone tries to take part in the celebrations wholeheartedly and give their children gifts according to their financial situation.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2018