Christmas in Pakistan a time for joy, brotherhood, but also fear
Threats stemming from country's war on terror overshadow festive season.
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Unperturbed by the lack of electricity, the youngsters work to complete their tasks before dawn.
"We've been doing this for years," Aftab explained, as he placed his cellular phone in his mouth, using its light while tying string.
"We use our pocket money to buy what's needed to make a simple crib and decorate it with lights. By morning, it will be ready," Aftab told ucanews.com.
Nearby, another crib has been completed in the area known as the "City of Jesus," while a boy in Santa Claus costume explained that Christmas brings joy.
A time for brotherhood
The low-income neighborhood, which extends over 10 hectares, reflects inter-faith harmony.
While most residents are Christian, some Muslims, who have set up their shops, tea stalls and businesses, also live in the area.
Muhammad Nawaz, a barbershop owner, said he has been doing business in Essa Nagri for more than a decade without any problem. "All of my workers join Christians in Christmas cake-cutting celebrations," he pointed out.
Home to the largest Christian population in Karachi, Essa Nagri is estimated to have a population of 45,000 people, although some local leaders say that the number could be closer to 200,000.
Initially inhabited by a small group of Punjab-based Christians who came to Karachi to find work during the 1960s, Essa Nagri has now became the city's major shelter for the minority community.
It is protected with boundary walls erected in 2012 after a series of killings sparked fears of a communal clash between Christians and Muslims. The narrow streets are lined with small shops, fruit and vegetable vendors and small churches.
Although basic necessities are still lacking, Essa Negri becomes a hive of activity every December and almost every house has a well-decorated traditional coniferous Christmas tree.
Johnson Gill, 40, has been selling Christmas items for two decades and his centrally located shop is thriving.
"December is easily the best month of the year mainly due to Christmas sales," Gill explained as he attended a customer.
"Although our daily sales have risen significantly since the start of December, we will have no time to even scratch our heads after Dec. 20 when people begin to receive their monthly salaries," he said.
Christmas overshadowed by terrorism threats
Gill rejects fears of any threats in Essa Nagri. "We are safe. No major incident of terrorism has ever taken place here," he insisted.
Nevertheless, rangers and police will be deployed from Christmas Eve as precautionary security measures, he said.
Stephen Masih was not so sure. "Things have changed a lot. People no longer feel secure because of the overall law and order situation in the country."
Christians have also "borne the brunt of Pakistan's war against terrorism. In March this year, two Catholic churches in Lahore were attacked and many people lost their lives," he recalled, adding that many protests were held at Essa Nagri to express solidarity with the Lahore victims.
"Whenever any Christian is accused of blasphemy or a terror attack takes place, it somehow affects all of us. Many who could afford to do so have gone abroad to seek asylum while those who couldn't are trying to keep going quietly," Stephan, a government worker, lamented.
"In the past, people would come out and sing carols from Dec. 1, but now such activities start from mid-December," he said.
Meanwhile, state-run APP news agency quoted Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Minister for Interfaith Harmony and Religious Affairs, as saying that his ministry has started distributing funds and gifts among the Christian community.
"On this joyous occasion we should follow the philosophy of Jesus Christ based on love, brotherhood, peace and harmony in order to deal with issues like terrorism and extremism," he said.
The minister told media that instructions had been given to give Christian workers their salaries before Christmas so that they could fully participate in Christmas celebrations.
Source: UCAN
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