Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Tuesday called upon the countrymen irrespective of their caste, creed and religion to work together to protect the communal harmony that has been nurtured in the country for thousands of years.
“I always speak that ‘religion is personal, but the festivals are for all. Peace, friendship and harmony are our pride,” she said adding the communal harmony being nurtured here for thousands of years, should be protected at any cost.
The Prime Minister said this after inaugurating the reconstructed Ramu Central Seema Bihar which was damaged and burnt by criminals on September 29, 2013.
At the directives of the Prime Minister, Army Headquarters, 17 Engineering Construction Battalion of Special Works Organization, Chittagong reconstructed 19 damaged monasteries and temples within eight months in to the incident.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has been recognised as a peaceful abode since ancient era for her moderate religious values, tolerance and fraternity bond among people.
“People of all religions fought together for the independence under the leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she said urging all to follow the path of Bangbandhu to build a hunger and poverty free and peaceful Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister said as a Muslim majority country it is our responsibility to ensure security and safety of the minorities. If they are tortured here, minority Muslims in other countries might face similar intimidation,” she noted.
Sheikh Hasina said the incident of Ramu is a shame for us. The day was horrible one and we could overcome the situation with united efforts of the all, she said adding “such a blow is totally unacceptable as we want to build Bangladesh as a nation of communal harmony in South Asia.”
Principal of Seema Bihar Satya Priyo Mohathero and General Secretary of Seema Bihar Tarun Barua also spoke on the occasion.
Home Minister Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Industries Minister Dilip Barua, Environment and Forests Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Ambassador-at-Large M Ziauddin, Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, PM’ s Media Advisor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque and Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad were present on the occasion.
Earlier, the PM visited Bimukti Bidarshan Bhaban Bihar at North Mithachhari, Ramu Moitree Bihar and Lal Ching Moitree Bihar at Ramu Chowmuhuni. Shuddhananda Mohathero and Sangharaj Dharmasen Mohathero were present.
Ambassadors and high commissioners of the USA, Russia, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan and diplomats from South Korea, China and Australia were present.
The Prime Minister said once world famous monasteries like Somapuri Mohabihar, Basu Bihar, Holud Bihar, Seetacoat Bihar, Shalban Bihar were built in Bangladesh, which were the centre of practicing knowledge.
Noted scholar Atish Dipankar, Shil Bhadra and Shanta Rakkhit were born in this country, she said.