Staff Reporter:
Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain yesterday said that Bangladesh has long been a land of communal harmony, urging all citizens to work together for national development by rising above divisions.
“If we look at our two closest neighbors — India and Myanmar — it becomes quite clear. Conflicts some-times occur in our country as well, but in most cases, these are political in nature, not communal,” he said.
Khalid made these remarks while addressing a discussion meeting titled “Communal Harmony and a Peaceful Bangladesh” held at the Lalmonirhat District Council Auditorium, organized by the district ad-ministration.
The Adviser said, “People of different religions and communities in our country have grown up togeth-er, studied together in schools and colleges, and worked together. We live side by side, go to markets together. In the Liberation War of 1971, we fought shoulder to shoulder. Even during the July Revolu-tion of 2024, we stood united against autocracy,”
Dr. Khalid further stated, “This country belongs to all of us — Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, hill people, and ethnic minorities. Everyone has equal rights. The government is working to ensure that no one’s rights are violated. It is the duty of the State to uphold this,”
Highlighting the importance of communal harmony, the Adviser said that if there is no communal har-mony in a country, if conflicts arise between groups or communities, then foreign investment would not come, tourists would not visit, and development would never take place.
He urged everyone to work together, setting aside all divisions, for the sake of national development.
He mentioned that Lalmonirhat is a fertile ground for communal harmony while there is no conflict or dispute among mosques, temples, and churches.
“This environment of amity must be further strengthened,” he said calling upon everyone to work collec-tively to eliminate social problems such as drug addiction and juvenile gangs in the district.
Expressing regret that Lalmonirhat has not seen sufficient development over the past 17 years, the Ad-viser said, “The national parliamentary election will be held next February. Elect a representative who can turn Lalmonirhat into a land of gold. We don’t want to hear complaints, we want to see action.”
Quoting a Hadith on communal harmony, Dr. Khalid said that the Holy Prophet’s (peace be upon him) war ethics set an extraordinary example of communal harmony.
