Srinagar: The minuscule Christian community in Kashmir is planning low-key celebrations this Christmas as a tribute to the civilians killed during the unrest.The Holy Family Catholic Church on Maulana Azad Road — one of the two churches in the Srinagar city — which is abuzz with activity during Christmas days will not be decorated this time, Shami Joseph, the church functionary, said.Joseph said carol singing and the parade had been cancelled while decorations would be limited to the interiors of the churches.“So many people have been martyred in the security forces firing this year. So how can we celebrate Christmas in a big way,” he said.Joseph insisted on referring to the civilians killed during the unrest as martyrs. “We are part of society and represent the political aspirations of the majority community,” he said.He added that the one-hour-long prayer would be held from 11 am on Sunday. Last year, we had an attendance of over 250 but this year it won’t be more than 150, he said.The Christian population in Kashmir is merely 11,857, but their contribution to the health and education sectors has been immense. The Christian community has over half a dozen major schools in the region, which have pioneered the introduction of modern education in the region.The most sought after educational institutions in Srinagar — Burn Hall School for Boys was founded in 1943 and the Presentation Convent for Girls was founded in 1936 — are Catholic-run institutions. Renowned people of Kashmir send their children to these schools.The celebrations have been cancelled in these schools as well in view of the prevailing situation in Kashmir. “We have no programme for Christmas this year because school is closed for the winter vacation. Also, it won’t look good to celebrate when the whole Kashmir is mourning,” said Rameez Ahmad, an official in the office of Principal Presentation Convent School.The Oklahoma-based academician Nyla Ali Khan, who did her schooling from Presentation Convent School, went nostalgic about her childhood in Kashmir and took to a social networking site. She posted on her Facebook wall: “Our winter break began with the opulent Christmas production, complete with ornaments that we staged at Presentation Convent, my alma mater. The auditorium resonated with carols sung in sonorous voices. The few churches and chapels in Srinagar, including the one at my alma mater, would be resplendent with beautifully set up nativity scenes. That was the culturally rich and pluralistic milieu in which my generation was raised.” “So, here’s to never-dying hope and new beginnings! Merry Christmas to those of my friends who celebrate the holiday, and Happy Holidays to the rest!” she said. (TNS)