President Abdul Hamid has urged people of all religions to strengthen communal harmony to attain national development and progress through collective endeavor.
“Bangladesh is a land of communal harmony. All religious festivals are celebrated here with fervor and gaiety,” he said on Friday.
Abdul Hamid made the call while exchanging greetings with members of the Hindu community at a reception at Bangabhaban, marking Janmashtami, an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.
He said: “I urge people of all religions to maintain it through collective efforts and utilize it for attaining development of the country.”
He also stressed the need for utilizing the appeal of Janmashtami to establish a welfare state instead of keeping it limited to ceremony and festival only.
"Man is a social animal. Therefore, all have to play responsible role for eradicating misdeeds, injustice and superstition from the society without remaining busy with own selves,” he said.
The president also suggested the need for strengthening family ties to prevent violent incidents and build a peaceful society.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder, Hindu religious personalities, leaders of Hindu Religion Welfare Trust, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, Dhaka Mahanagar Sarbajonin Puja Committee, Bangladesh Hindu-Buddha-Christian Oikya Parishad and people from various professions of the community joined the reception.
