Staff Reporter
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday called for ensuring the rights and dignity of the Chris-tian community to build harmonious Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh does not want division and communalism in the name of religion. The return of autocracy and fascism is also never desirable, and a social movement must be built to prevent it,” he said.
The President made the call as a 25-member delegation of the Christian Community, led by Assistant Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dhaka Subrata B. Gomes, paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this noon, President’s Press wing said.
During the meeting, the delegation raised various issues concerning the Christian community with the President and sought his cooperation in then matters.
The President said, “Bangladesh is the country of all citizens, where everyone is equal.”
“It is of utmost importance to ensure that no citizen is deprived or discriminated against because of reli-gious identity,” he added.
He said the country’s Christian community has been making important contributions in various fields, including education, health and social services, for a long time.
“Educational institutions, including Holy Cross, St Gregory’s, St Joseph and Notre Dame, are playing an important role in maintaining the standard of higher education in the country and in human resource development,” he noted.
Among others, the delegation included Senior Vice-Chairman of the Christian Religious Welfare Trust and reserved women’s seat member of the Jatiya Sangsad Ms Anna Minj, Principal of Notre Dame Col-lege Father Hemanta Rozario, CSC, Vice-Chancellor of Notre Dame University Father Charles, Principal of Holy Cross College Sister Shikha Gomes, CSC, and Vice-Chairman of the Christian Religious Welfare Trust Advocate John Gomes.
The President’s Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary were present on the occasion.
