Maintain Peace, Harmony, Urges Bangladesh PM

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has called upon members of all religious communities to maintain the existing peace and harmony in the country and work together for the advancement of the nation.

"None is majority or minority in Bangladesh. All are equal here and our identity is Bangladeshi," she said while exchanging greetings with members of the Christian community on the eve of the holy Christmas at the Prime Minister's Office.

A 36–members delegation of eminent personalities of the Christian community led by top religious leader Archbishop Michael Rosario presented the Prime Minister with bouquets and offered a prayer for continued peace and progress of the country.

The Prime Minister cut a Christmas cake on the occasion and expressed her best wishes to members of the Christian community.

She hoped that the celebration of the Christmas will further strengthen the existing religious harmony and social bondage and inspire all to work unitedly for national development.

The Christian leaders lauded the leadership of Begum Zia in curbing terrorism and expressed satisfaction over the prevailing peace and security and age–old religious harmony that enabled them to perform all their rituals freely and smoothly.

They lauded the government and the public’s efforts for taking care that incidents of religious intolerance and sectarian violence do not occur in the nation.

The Prime Minister said that despite continued religious harmony in the country, a political party is out to malign the country's image abroad through false and malicious campaign against the nation.

Such propaganda is harmful for the country, she said and urged members of all religious communities to be vocal against those involved in the evil doing for the greater interest of the nation.

Referring to her government's thrust on increasing production, expanding education and improving the health and other sectors, Begum Zia urged members of the Christian community to work hard from their respective position to supplement the government efforts.

"I seek your all–out cooperation and support to take forward the trend of development in the country," she said.

"The government is working for all segments of the society. We will go ahead further, if we get your cooperation," she added.

The Prime Minister said members of all religious community shed blood for independence in 1971 and now they have to work unitedly to build the country.

Bangladesh is a land of religious tolerance and communal harmony, she said and added all have been living here together for ages enjoying equal rights and dignity.

Begum Zia mentioned about her government's measures for the welfare of Hindu and Buddhist communities and said the process of launching the Christian welfare fund is also under process.

Other members of the Christian delegation included Bishop Linus Gomes, Father Proshanto Rivera, Reverend Chuni Mondal, Father Benjamin Costa, Albert Gomez P Costa, Bishop Philip Adhikari, Chitto Francis Rivera and Sister Merry Dipti.

Prime Minister's Political Secretary Harris Chowdhury was also present on the occasion.