2024-08-27 18:35:24
Published: 09:32, 26 August 2024
Religious advisor. AFM Khalid Hossain said, Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. The constitution guarantees equal rights to all. Every citizen of this country has freedom of religion. The government is determined to protect all religious communities.
He said these things during a meeting with the delegation of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the office of the Religious Adviser at the Secretariat on Sunday.
The religious adviser said that communal harmony has existed in this country since time immemorial. People of different religious communities live in a very friendly environment in this country. People of this country easily celebrate fast and puja at the same time. No serious communal riots ever took place here. The government is working for the development and welfare of religious practices, religious institutions of every religious community. There are separate religious welfare trusts for Hindu, Buddhist and Christian communities in the country.
Dr. Khalid said, in the changing situation of anti-discrimination student movement, there have been more or less attacks on nine-ten institutions of different religions. The attack did not stem from any genuine communal crisis. Those who carry out such attacks do so for nefarious and politically nefarious purposes. Government will take legal action against these attackers. Besides, letters have been sent to the District Administrators from the Ministry of Religion asking for information about the affected religious institutions. After receiving the information from them, necessary renovation or repair initiatives will be taken by contacting the Ministry of Finance.
Rory Mangoven, head of the OHCR delegation, said that after the youth movement, there have been some sporadic incidents in religious institutions in some parts of Bangladesh. Some misinformation has also been circulated in the media. He applauded the overall initiative of the government after the agitation. Besides, he said that he will come again to monitor the situation.
At this time, among others, the religious secretary. A. Hamid Jamadder, Human Rights Officer Ms Livia Cosenza and Alexander James Emir El Jandi were present.
/Naeemuddin/Saif/