Acceptance of Christmas in mainstream society indicators a social change within the nation, observers say
A textile store within the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka is seen embellished with a Christmas tree forward of Christmas. The once-unknown competition within the Mulsim majority nation is quick turning into a season of brisk enterprise. (Picture: Stephan Uttom/UCA Information)
Printed: December 23, 2022 10:59 AM GMT
Some 20 years in the past when Mohibul Hasan started his textile store within the Mirpur space of Dhaka, Christmas was largely unknown in Bangladesh however now it has turn out to be a season for brisk gross sales.
“If I promote 100 sarees a month, within the week earlier than Christmas it could be round 300 sarees,” the 52-year Muslim mentioned from his store adorned with Christmas decorations within the capital of the Muslim-majority nation.
The acceptance of Christmas festivities in mainstream society exhibits a serious social change within the nation and it may assist construct a non-sectarian nation, say sociologists and Christian leaders.
“It’s really a social change and thru it, the universality of Christmas is growing and this transformation may be very constructive for us,” mentioned sociology Professor Shah Ehsan Habib of Dhaka College. He mentioned Christmas decorations have turn out to be regular in accommodations, eating places, or buying malls in the course of the Christmas season, which was not the case a decade in the past.
“We now see completely different sorts of Christmas decorations as a result of folks like Christmas” on this nation for its common festive spirit, he mentioned.
The town’s prime five-star lodge, the Pan Pacific Sonargaon has celebrated
Christmas yearly for many years, mentioned Mohammed Nefeuzzaman, its public relations supervisor.
“Christmas Day is widely known in our lodge gorgeously. Individuals of all religions have a good time this occasion collectively,” he mentioned including that they manage particular applications and “the response has been nice.”
Its foyer is embellished with lights of various colours, full with Christmas needs and pictures of a red-and-white-clad Santa Claus.
“Our hottest program is the Youngsters Carnival, which gives a wide range of rides for kids on Christmas Day,” he mentioned. They manage magic exhibits, puppet exhibits and numerous rides, together with horse rides.
Additionally they organize buffets with completely different sorts of meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to make “it a common celebration of individuals of all religions.”
“Youngsters and adults alike come and have enjoyable … we count on some 1,000 company this yr…. The numbers hold growing every year,” he mentioned.
Nirmol Rozario, president of the Bangladesh Christian Affiliation, mentioned he has observed a rise in Christmas decorations in accommodations and buying malls over the previous decade or so.
“This sends a superb message to folks of different religions about Christmas. It is going to play a serious position in constructing a non-communal nation,” he mentioned.
“Till some years in the past, folks of different religions have been unaware of Christmas. However these decorations in these accommodations or buying malls, and media discussions and ads have made Christmas a competition identified amongst different religions.”
“That is leading to a type of social change and it’ll deliver constructive outcomes for our nation and society and for Christians,” Rozario instructed UCA Information.
Christians, principally Catholics, are a tiny minority in Bangladesh numbering some 600,000 in a inhabitants of about 165 million.
An estimated 100,000 Catholics stay within the capital Dhaka and close by areas lined by
the Archdiocese of Dhaka. The town additionally has a floating inhabitants of Catholics as a whole bunch of younger folks come to check and work within the metropolis from villages.
The growing variety of Christians within the metropolis doing their buying in the course of the season and the lengthy holidays supply an event to spice up enterprise.
“Our retailer in addition to different shops get busy particularly within the two weeks earlier than Christmas. Our proprietor additionally observed this and brings numerous new merchandise to the shop prematurely,” mentioned Mollica Biswas, 23, a Catholic pupil, who works as a part-time salesperson at a store in Bashundhara Metropolis, the capital’s elite shopping center.
Biswas mentioned she “usually doesn’t see her Christian acquaintances within the store. However rapidly, within the second half of December, I’ll see a number of of them within the store.”
For Catholics like Sowpan Marandy, a cook dinner in a metropolis restaurant, it’s a season to purchase new garments for relations earlier than heading to their native village for Christmas.
The 32-year man will journey again to his village within the northern Dinajpur district to spend the vacations together with his spouse, two kids and father.
He mentioned he “purchased a saree, shirts-pants for my two sons, shirt for my father from a roadside store. Nothing for me but however I’ve already spent greater than budgeted.”
“And, there are extra bills at dwelling. I do not know how you can handle it,” Marandy instructed UCA Information.
Newest Information
