KARACHI, Dec 24: Children from the Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi presented a collection of Christmas carols at the eighth Annual Carnival of Carols.

Over 400 children aged four to 14 years from various parishes (catholic localities) of the archdiocese assembled at the St Lawrence’s Church in Garden East and rendered two sets of traditional Christmas carols.

Hundreds of people, many of them on holiday from Canada, Australia, USA and England, joined in the singing of carols with priests and nuns.

The singing of carols was interspersed with messages read out by three children from different parishes.

They read out messages of peace, love, hope, giving, forgiveness and brotherhood which were the hallmark of Christmas celebrations throughout the world.

The parish priest of St Lawrence’s Church, the host parish that organises the event every year, Rev Father Norbert Mendonca, said: “Throughout the world, the Christmas crib and carols have become two of the most loved customs of this great feast of Christmas. The Carnival of Carols has become a custom, too, in Pakistan.”

The traditional entry of Santa Claus, release of colourful balloons, confetti and sparkling fireworks brought much cheer and happiness to all those present. Christmas gift hampers were also distributed among the children.

The Jamaat-i-Islami Karachi leaders in their joint message on the occasion of Christmas have called for spreading the message of peace as preached by Hazrat Essa (PBUH).

They said that the holy prophet had spread the message of peace and love and the same message was carried forward by the next prophets of Islam. They said Muslims had equal respect for all prophets.—APP