DHAKA, Dec 23, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said today her government is working for the welfare of the people of all religions irrespective their castes and creeds.
“We are working for all in 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,” she said while exchanging Christmas greetings with the Christian community at her official Ganabhaban residence here this afternoon.
“Bangladesh is a secular state and all citizens irrespective of their religions will live in the country with similar rights,” she added.
In this context, she recalled that people of all faiths fought shoulder to shoulder the Liberation War in 1971 and achieved independence.
“So, we want to build Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous country, which along with its people will get a dignified position in the world. This is our target,” she said.
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 percent from 41 percent. “We are making our strides for reaching development to every corner of the country and for all irrespective or 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, Sheikh Hasina 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, the premier said they had formed the Christian Welfare Fund, the premier said, “We have given Taka 5 crore as seed money to the welfare trust.”
The premier said, “We have only one target to give the people a developed and prosperous country as the Father of the Nation had shed blood for the welfare of the people.”
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, MP, and Jewel Aarong, MP, and General Secretary of Bangladesh Christian League Daniel Nirmal D’ Costa, among others, spoke on the occasion.
President of Bangladesh Christian Association Nirmal Rozario presided over the function which was moderated by William Proloy Samadder.