President M Abdul Hamid has called upon all, irrespective of opinion and religious belief, to play a proper role in the national development maintaining the tradition of communal harmony and tradition in the country, report agencies.
"The key message of each religion is human welfare. I do believe, the ideology of Buddha can play a very significant role in establishing humanity and peace in this instable and intolerant world," President Hamid observed.
He made the remarks while exchanging greetings with members of the Buddhist community at a reception at Bangabhaban in the city on Sunday, marking Buddha Purnima.
"Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony . . . All people perform their respective religions and rituals freely here," th president opined.
President Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanam welcomed the guests and exchanged greetings with them.
The President expressed the hope that the Buddhist community would continue to put in their efforts for the country's overall development upholding the traditional norms and containing the immortal ideology of Lord Buddha.
The message of Gautama Buddha - Non-Violence is the Ultimate Religion - is still applicable to society, he said.
Religious Affairs Minister Principal Matiur Rahman, Buddhist religious leaders, including Suddhananda Mahathero, Satyapriyo Mohathero, former minister Dilip Barua, Bangladesh chapter president of World Buddhists' Federation Prof Dr Sukomol Barua, vice-president of Bangladesh Buddhist Kristi Prochar Sangha PR Barua, ambassadors and high commissioners of different Buddhist countries, representatives of various international organisations and professionals of the Buddhist community attended the reception.
Meanwhile, marking the festival, the Buddhist community in Bangladesh, like elsewhere in the world, chalked out various programmes including peace processions, worship, lighting of lamps, religious discussion and chorus prayer and cultural functions.
The devotees also offered fruits, flowers and candles to statues of Lord Buddha throughout the day.
Besides, leaders of different political and socio-cultural organisations also greeted the people of the Buddhist community on the occasion.
