Hamid: Keep nation free from all evil forces

President Abdul Hamid has urged all irrespective of faiths to work together to keep the nation free from all evil forces. He said that the country will have to be taken on the way of prosperity shunning communalism, militancy and intolerance. "Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony and every religious festival is observed here with respect and amid festivity from the time immemorial,” said the president. He was speaking at the Bijoya Sammilani at Dhakeshwai Temple in the capital on Friday. "The people of different faiths have created a great heritage by living together here peacefully and maintaining the tradition of harmony and cordiality," he said. There are differences in practicing different religions but the main message of religions contains the same spirit, he said, adding that there is no conflict and disparity among religions. “All religions have declared victory of mankind over all evil forces.” Those who fail to realise this inner truth of religion creates chaos in the society and mankind has to pay price for it, he observed. The president said the present government has taken all out steps to eliminate militancy and terrorism from the country and it has become successful to a large extent in this regard. The government, he said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working ceaselessly to establish good governance and for socioeconomic development. It is going ahead with a specific plan and programme to give the country a firm footing and the people of the country have started getting benefits of this plan and programmes. President Hamid said Bangladesh's recent success in agriculture, health, poverty elimination and women empowerment have drawn the attention of the world community. This trend of progress must be maintained at any cost to turn Bangladesh into a developed country by 2041, he said.