Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Monday Bangladesh has set an example of religious harmony in the world by celebrating all the religious festivals by all citizens of the country irrespective of their religions, reports UNB.
"Each and every religious festival is celebrated in Bangladesh by everyone like brothers and sisters...we celebrate all the festivals shoulder to shoulder," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said this while visiting Ramkrishna Mission in the city on the occasion of Durga Puja, the largest festival of the Hindu community.
The Prime Minister said the government wanted to build the country with cooperation of all as the people of all faiths had fought for Bangladesh's independence during the liberation war in 1971 and made the supreme sacrifice.
"People will live here equally enjoying their rights irrespective of religion and creed...we all will perform our own religious rituals freely," said the Prime Minister adding that religion is for one, but the festival is for all. "We always maintain that."
Hasina said the main aim of the government is to make the country prosperous where there will be no poverty and hunger. "This was the dream of the Father of the Nation."
She said the independence earned through the supreme sacrifice of millions will never go in vein.
Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Mohammad Sayeed Khokan, Kazi Firoz Rashid, MP, and Inspector General of Police Dr Mohammad Javed Patwary also spoke at the programme held at Ramkrishna Mission.
Principal of Ramkrishna Math and Mission Swami Dhrubeshananda delivered the welcome address.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the aim of her government is to build Bangladesh with non-communal spirit where the religious rights of all will be protected.
"By ensuring the equal rights of all religions, we all with our united efforts will construct our beloved motherland as a hunger- and poverty-free country. We're running the government keeping that in our mind," she said.
The Prime Minister said this while visiting Dhakeswari National Temple on the occasion of Durga Puja.
She said, "The government wants to build the country in a way where there will be no poor, no homeless, no one will go hungry; everyone will get the medial services and education-everyone will lead a beautiful life."
Sheikh Hasina said everyone will perform their religious rituals independently and properly with dignity and festivity.
"I want all people irrespective of their religions and castes to perform their religious rituals equally and the country will be built with the Liberation War spirit," she said.
The Prime Minister said the government always demonstrated a strong stance against terrorism, anarchy and militancy. "We declared a zero tolerance policy against these menaces," she said.
Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Mohammad Sayeed Khokan, State Minister for Youth and Sports Dr Biren Shikdar, President of Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad Milon Kanti Dutta and General Secretary Nirmol Kumar Chatterjee, Mohanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee President Shailondya Nath Majumder and General Secretary Advocate Kishore Ranjan Mandol also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, leaders of Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad and Mohanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee greeted the Prime Minister by presenting her with bouquets at Dhakeswari National Temple.
