Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus exchanged Christmas greetings with Christian community representatives at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday.
The greeting exchange ceremony was conducted by Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain, with prominent Christian leaders including Bishop Bejoy N D'Cruze, head of Catholic Christians of Bangladesh; Bishop Philip P Adhikary, Chairman of the National Christian Fellowship of Bangladesh; Nirmal Rosario, President of the Bangladesh Christian Association; Ignatius Hemant Corraya, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Christian Association; and Daniel Nirmal D'Costa, President of the Bangladesh Christian Mohajote, among others, addressing the occasion.
Christian leaders expressed hope for increased generosity and communal harmony in Bangladesh under Professor Yunus' leadership, assuring him of their full cooperation.
Bishop Bejoy N D'Cruze briefly highlighted the ideals and message of peace of Jesus Christ, noting that the student-mass uprising had opened new possibilities in Bangladesh.
He praised Professor Yunus for his wise, honest, and trusted leadership, expressing faith that under his guidance, Bangladesh could become a democratic, secular, and non-communal nation rooted in love, compassion, and brotherhood.
"Our prayers on this Christmas Day are that Bangladesh moves forward under your leadership," he said, assuring that the Christian community would stand by him.
The Christian leaders also expressed gratitude for the interim government's donation of Tk2.5 crore to the Christian Religious Welfare Trust, which was distributed to churches across the country.
In return, Christian leaders presented a Bible to Professor Yunus.
Expressing his appreciation, Professor Yunus conveyed his pleasure in meeting with the Christian leaders.
He emphasized the importance of unity, saying: "We do not want to hear the words 'minority' and 'majority.' In this country, we are all one family, and we will live together. This is our dream, and we all must work to realize it."
He said: "Our identity as people comes first, then religion. Every religion has a message of peace. We must establish that message within ourselves, and only then will our differences disappear."
Professor Yunus concluded, saying that if the message of peace from all religions could be embraced, it would be reflected in everyone’s lives, eliminating differences between religions.
"Our children will grow up in a beautiful world," he said.
Also present at the event were Law Adviser Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul, Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, and Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
