Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday called upon the hajj pilgrims and Alem-Ulema (Islamic scholars) to move forward to contribute in building a modern and knowledge-based developed nation by keeping the children away from militancy and terrorism.
"I urge you (hajj pilgrims) and Alem-Ulema to stand boldly against militancy and terrorism so our children can stay aside from it and equip with modern-technology to build a developed Bangladesh," she said.
The premier made this call while inaugurating Hajj Programme-2023 (1444 Hijri) at the Hajji Office in Dhaka's Ashkona area as the chief guest.
She said Islam is a religion of peace and it is always a religion of welfare of people which ensures the rights of people.
Mentioning that Islam is being denounced because of few people, who perpetrate militancy and terrorism in the name of Islam, she said: "Actually those people who create militancy and terrorism they have no religion."
Sheikh Hasina noted that the people who are creating militancy and terrorism exist in all religions.
"If someone thinks they will go to heaven by killing innocent people, it will never happen. Almighty Allah didn't say it, and our Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) also didn't say it," she said.
Sheikh Hasina continued: "Our Islam is the best religion of the world and these few people are becoming the reason for denunciation of Islam."
She opined that everybody has to take initiative to stop these people from doing this (heinous) job.
"All of us have to be aware of our children," she added.
The prime minister also sought doa from the hajj pilgrims for her younger sister Sheikh Rehana and other family members.
"My biggest demand to you (hajj pilgrims) is that you people will pray for my people of Bangladesh so that none could play ducks and drakes with the fate of them," the premier said.
She also urged the hajj pilgrims to pray for keeping Bangladesh and its people protected from any manmade or natural disaster.
"I would like to request you to pray so that any disaster or crisis -either man-made or natural- can't damage Bangladesh and the people of Bangladesh," Sheikh Hasina said.