Today is Christmas day, the day Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This includes Bangladesh’s million-strong Christian population.
Christmas is a reminder that ours is a country that was founded upon principles of secularism and pluralism, where people of all religions and races can live in harmony together.
At times, we have seen communalism raise its ugly head, but on holidays like this one, we must remember our solemn duty to uphold our principles, because in the end, we all share an identity as Bangladeshis.
After the mosque attacks in New Zealand, many from other religions, including Christianity, showed tremendous solidarity by standing guard to protect Muslim worshippers. Similarly, can we not all unite to make sure our Christian brothers and sisters are able to observe Christmas day in peace? The day can be one of festivity for all communities.
Bangladesh is currently sheltering nearly a million Rohingya people, this shows a charitable spirit that Jesus Christ always preached, and shows a basic humanity that transcends differences between communities.
That is what Bangladesh is all about.
Christmas is a day for sharing and giving, and in this spirit we remember those less privileged, and build not higher walls but a bigger table. It is only through compassion and kindness do we move forward as a nation.
As we make good progress on our economic indicators, on Christmas day we remember to look inward, and work on our core values, those that make us human.
