PM: Govt is working for people of all faiths

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said her government is working for the welfare of the people of all religions irrespective their castes and creeds.

She made the statement while exchanging Christmas greetings with the Christian community at her official Ganabhaban residence on Monday.

Sheikh Hasina said: “We are working for all by following the policy of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who dreamt of a secular state where everyone will have the similar rights.

“Bangladesh is a secular state, and all citizens irrespective of their religions will live in the country with similar rights.”

In this context, she recalled that people of all faiths fought shoulder to shoulder during the 1971 Liberation War, and achieved independence.

“So, our target is to build Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous country, which along with its people will get a dignified position in the world,” the premier added.

At the outset of her speech, the prime minister extended her greetings to the members of the Christian community across the world, saying that Jesus Christ always worked for the humanity.

“He (Jesus) taught us love for human beings and their welfare,” she said, adding that like Jesus, Bangabandhu dedicated his entire life for the welfare of all people being imbued with the love for human beings.

Elaborating her government’s successes in various fields, Sheikh Hasina said her government has been able to bring down the poverty rate to 20% from 41%. “We are making our strides for reaching development to every corner of the country and for all irrespective of religions.”

Referring to the attack on the members of the Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim communities at various places across the country in 2001 by the BNP-Jamaat alliance, the premier said: “People of all religions will live in the country with equal rights.”

Spelling out various steps taken by her government for the welfare of the Christian community, she said they had formed the Christian Welfare Fund.

“We have given Tk5 crore as seed money to the welfare trust,” Sheikh Hasina furthered.

At the function, Christmas carols and patriotic songs were performed by the members of the Christian community.

Archbishop of Dhaka Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario, and President of Bangladesh Christian Association Nirmal Rozario jointly handed over the Christmas greeting card to the prime minister.

Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario, who also holds the highest rank in the Roman Catholic Church in Bangladesh, Vice Presidents of Bangladesh Christian Association Advocate Gloria Jharna Sarker, and Jewel Aarong, and General Secretary of Bangladesh Christian League Daniel Nirmal D’ Costa, among others, spoke on the occasion.