Exercise your voting rights, President urges people

President Abdul Hamid called upon all on Tuesday to exercise their voting rights to keep up the trend of development in the country, reports UNB.

The President made the call while exchanging greetings with members of the Christian community at Bangabhaban, marking Christmas Day.

President Hamid said, "Bangladesh is a place of peace and prosperity.

The relentless labour and continuous efforts of everyone, irrespective of their religion and caste, is behind it.

The positive contribution of communal harmony to our development and progress is undeniable."

He went on saying, "The 11th parliamentary elections will be held after four days.

I express the hope all the people, regardless of their religion and caste, will take forward the trend of development in the country by exercising their franchise."

He also called upon all to play an effective role from their respective positions in upholding the country's glorious tradition of communal harmony and brightening it further.

Mentioning that the people of all religions here are tied with mutual love and affection, the President urged all to work together for building a happy, prosperous and non-communal Bangladesh.

Terming Jesus Christ an ambassador of emancipation and beacon, he said Jesus Christ had preached the sermons of peace in the world as his philosophy was to establish a peaceful society with full love, services, forgiveness, compassion and justice.

Mentioning that Jesus Christ gave importance to unity, sacrifice, self-restraint and charity than that of comfort of the worldly life, he said, "I think, the teachings and ideals of Jesus Christ are very rational to establish peace, harmony and unity in nation-to-nation of this problematic world."

Hamid said, "The Father of the Nation had dreamt of building a happy, prosperous and non-communal Bangladesh.

The President also hoped the day will bring joy to all, including the Christian religion, and wished for the unlimited joy, happiness and prosperity of everyone's life.

President Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanam hosted the reception at the presidential palace where a candle-lit Christmas tree was set up.

Cardinal of Bangladesh Patrick D'Rozario, ambassadors and representatives from different foreign missions, distinguished persons of the Christian community, religious leaders and professionals joined the reception.