The Christian community in Bangladesh is all set to celebrate Christmas, as elsewhere across the world, on Sunday to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.Christmas, the biggest religious festival of the Christians, is the celebration of rebirth, a new beginning, forgiveness and peace, and renewing relationship with God and fellow human beings. Decoration of Christmas trees with colourful lights, special prayers, giving gifts to children and exchange of pleasantries are the main features of the day's festivities. Christmas carols and hymns will be sung before and after the prayer sessions at the churches across the country. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on Christmas eve Saturday.   Read more: Christmas day being observed President Abdul Hamid wished: “May Christmas bring endless joy and welfare to everyone including the Christian community. May everyone's life be filled with happiness and prosperity.”  The Prime Minister wished peace, welfare and prosperity to all citizens including the Christian community on the eve and urged for collective effort from all for making a prosperous, non-communal and peaceful nation.  The President will host a reception at Bangabhaban on the occasion on Sunday evening. Secretaries, military officials and distinguished persons of the Christian community, religious leaders and professionals will join the reception. Later, President Abdul Hamid along with the guests will join a tea party.  Read more: Christmas Day being celebrated Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has expressed optimism over Bangladesh’s chances of getting elected to the UN Human Rights Council, noting that Bangladesh remains very vocal on human rights issues. “I believe we will win this year, too. We have a very good preparation,” he told reporters at his office on Tuesday, adding that Bangladesh has been a member of the Human Rights Council for many years.  Momen said Bangladesh remains a vocal country in upholding human rights and it always stood against injustice and struggled for people’s rights. Bangladesh is one of the candidates (Asia Pacific States) to the election for the term 2023-2025. There are four vacant seats in this group after Bahrain withdrew its candidature on September 26. Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Republic of Korea and Vietnam will compete in the election with Bangladesh under the Asia Pacific States category.    The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 States at any one time, which are responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe. The Council starts its yearly membership cycle on January 1. Read: UN Human Rights Council adopts resolution to end Rohingya crisis Membership to the Council is open to all Member States of the United Nations. Members are elected by the General Assembly through individual and direct votes by absolute majority (97 votes).  Ballots are secret and elections are held every year. Members serve three-year terms and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms. Bangladesh last served on the council during the 2019-21 term. Responding to a question, Momen said the UN report on enforced disappearances in Bangladesh contains errors and cited that there were names of individuals in the list of disappeared people who were in Indian jail or live in India. “This is unfortunate. I hope in the future they will correct themselves,” he said.  Asked about U.S.  sanctions on elite force RAB, Momen said Bangladesh had shared its position on every forum.  

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has called upon the British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI) to help Bangladesh draw more foreign investment; project a positive image and protect the interests of the country internationally. BGMEA President Faruque Hassan urged the association to explore more trade and investment opportunities and areas of cooperation between the UK and Bangladesh. Read: BGMEA calls for investment in high value-added, non-cotton textile Faruque made the call during a meeting with BBCCI President Bashir Ahmed, who paid a courtesy visit to the BGMEA office in the capital Thursday. The BGMEA president sought the BBCCI's support in encouraging British businessmen, including Bangladeshis living in the UK, to invest in different potential sectors of Bangladesh such as high value-added and non-cotton textile. He also urged the BBCCI to encourage the Bangladeshi community in the UK to give preference to garments made in Bangladesh during their shopping and also present them as gifts to their foreign friends. Read:BGMEA for improving nutritional status of workers to boost efficiency, productivity  It would not only increase demand for Bangladeshi apparel in the UK market but also contribute to promoting the "Made in Bangladesh'' brand among the British citizens, he added. BGMEA Vice-President Miran Ali, BBCCI North East Region President Mahtab Miah, Bengal Dutch International Managing Director GR Choudhury and Asian Tiger Capital Partners Chairman Ifty Islam were also present.