Kathmandu, Dec 25: Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said all the festivals, including Christmas, the great festival of the Christians, have functioned as the bridge in uniting the people of all faiths.
In a message of best wishes he issued on the occasion of Christmas Day today, Speaker Ghimire wished for the happiness, peace and good health of all Nepalis at home and abroad.
"Christmas is not merely a religious festival; this is a festival carrying the message of tolerance and benevolence for the entire humanity. It teaches us to promote love and brotherhood. Our festivals have played the role of a bridge uniting the followers of all religions and Christmas is also an outstanding example of this," the Speaker said.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the Federal Parliament, also stated in his message that the Constitution of Nepal has made provision of secularism and religious freedom, thereby, ensuring the respect of every faith, ritual and culture, further consolidating the nation's social harmony.
"I wish may Christmas, a festival of peace, love and co-existence, foster peace, goodwill and unity. Nepal is a confluence of various castes, ethnic communities, religions and cultures. The Constitution has given every citizen the freedom to follow own religion, rituals and customs," Speaker said in his message.
NA Vice Chairperson's best wishes on Christmas
Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly (NA), Bimala Ghimire, has said that Nepal's caste, ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious diversity is an important asset not only for the country but also for the world community.
Vice Chairperson of the upper house of the Federal Parliament said this in a message of best wishes she issued on the occasion of Christmas today. In the message, she has wished for the good health, long life, happiness, peace, prosperity and continued progress to all sisters and brothers within the country and abroad on the happy occasion of Christmas.
"It is the responsibility of the State to protect all the castes, ethnicities, languages, religions, communities and cultures within the nation full of diversity and also to play the role of a custodian for their promotion and development. On this occasion, I urge all sides to work actively towards a strong national unity by establishing the identity, ownership and rights of all ethnicities, languages, religions, communities and cultures," she said in her message of best wishes. (RSS)
