Muslim countries' united work can reduce misery of Palestinians: PM

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina has said united work of Muslim countries can bring better and dignified position for the Muslim community in the world along with reducing misery of the Palestinians, report agencies.

"Today, if all the Muslim countries worked together making an alliance, it would be easier to attain better position for the Muslims including reducing misery of the Palestinians," she said.

The PM said this while inaugurating the Hajj programme 2024 at the Hajj Camp in city's Ashkuna area.

"We could have further advanced if Muslim countries of the world had worked unitedly," she said as she mentioned herself "the only sister" (head of government) among the OIC member countries.

Sheikh Hasina said, "I told them (head of states and governments) that I am the only sister. I am asking everyone to reach a consensus and speak up so that this kind of unfair injustice doesn't happen to us again."

Highlighting the miseries of the Muslims in Palestine, she said genocide is being carried out there where no children, women or men were spared.

"But, I am protesting it wherever I get a chance. . . .Palestine will get more land in Gaza. It is their right. No one can take away this right. So, that right should be given to them," she said.

The PM also urged the Hajj pilgrims to pray for them.

Describing Islam as a religion of peace, Sheikh Hasina called for not doing anything that goes against the religious sentiment.

"No one should do anything - like engaging in alcohol addiction, gambling, corruption, terrorism and militancy -- that hurts our religious sentiment," she said.

She also said Islam is a sacred religion that ensured the rights of the people of all classes.

"It is very unfortunate that a quarter of people earn a bad name for Islam by militancy. I always protest it," she added.

Sheikh Hasina said the people of all religions will continuously enjoy equal rights to follow their respective religious rituals in the country.

She also asked the Hajj pilgrims to pray for Bangladesh and its people while performing the holy hajj, saying, "Pray for Bangladesh, pray for the people of Bangladesh, and also pray for the Muslim Ummah all over the world."

Referring to the implementation of e-Hajj management, the PM said, "We have made Digital Bangladesh. Our future goal is to build a 'smart Bangladesh'".