Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the hajj pilgrims to seek mercy of Almighty Allah while offering prayers at the holy mosques to allow Muslims, as well as people of other faiths in the country, to live peacefully and to continue the nation's progress.
"You are going to the holy places. You will offer prayers so that Muslims and people of other faiths can live in this country peacefully and may Allah allow the peoply wrongle interpreting Islam to return to the right path," the premier said while inaugurating this year's Hajj programme at Ashkona Hajj Camp Saturday.
Sheikh Hasina said we should be careful that no one can misuse Islam, as the religion never supports killing of innocent people and indulgence in militancy and terrorism, reports BSS.
Due to the activities of some misguided people, the whole Muslim Ummah is in danger, she said, adding that Muslims are being harassed around the world and are even being killed.
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“We will not allow them to carry out their activities in our country, as Islam is a religion of peace and Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (Pbuh) also always preached that. No one has the right to kill innocent people. The Almighty will pass the final judgment. Why can’t they have faith in Him?" the prime minister added.
She said the people misinterpreting Islam are creating confusion among members of the public, such as claiming that a person who commits suicide would go to haven. But Islam never says that, she said, adding that "we don't want our country to be ruined in this way."
Later, the premier sought help from the pilgrims to reach out to people with the true message of the religion, “You will pray to Allah so that his blessings fall on these people and they change their minds.”"
Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashed Khan Menon, local parliament member Sahara Khatun, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Religious Affairs Bazlul Haque Harun and Deputy Councillor of the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka Saleh Al Mutairi were present as special guests while Minister for Religious Affairs Matiur Rahman was the chair.
Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Abdul Jalil gave the welcome address while prayers were offered for safe journey of the pilgrims and acceptance of the holy Hajj by the Almighty.
Later, the prime minister exchanged pleasantries with the pilgrims.
The first Hajj flight to Saudi Arabia this year, carrying 419 pilgrims, will take off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on June 24 morning. This year, the Hajj flights will continue till August 26, 2017.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudi Airlines will carry some 127,198 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia this year to perform Hajj.