Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (5 April) called on people of all religions to unite in building a happy, prosperous, and better Bangladesh.
“Let us all work together, regardless of religion or background, from our respective positions to build a happy, prosperous, and better Bangladesh. People of all religions and communities must come forward for the greater cause of the country,” he said.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while exchanging Easter greetings with leaders of the Protestant Church at the Cabinet Room of the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said.
A 13-member delegation, led by Bishop Philip P Adhikari, president of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Bangladesh, met the Prime Minister around 11:45am to exchange views on the occasion of Easter Sunday.
Addressing the gathering, Rumon said the Prime Minister wished success and prosperity for the Christian community. Tarique Rahman emphasised his government’s inclusive stance, saying, “We view people of all religions equally and love everyone in the same way. We believe religion belongs to individuals, but the country belongs to all.”
Referring to the 13th parliamentary election held on 12 February, he noted that people from all religious communities had voted for the BNP. “There was a perception that people of other religions do not vote for the BNP. This election has proven that wrong,” he said, adding that people from all walks of life supported the party and ensured its victory.
Pointing to the state of the country under the previous government, he said, “The economic sector, the communication sector, and several other areas were in a fragile condition. It felt like we had taken responsibility for a war-ravaged country.” He also highlighted his government’s efforts to address the fuel shortage caused by the Middle East conflict.
Earlier, Rev Ashim Baroi, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Baptist Church Sangha, and retired Wing Commander Christopher M Adhikari spoke on behalf of the Christian community. They praised initiatives by the BNP government, including the Family Card programme, waiving loans of Tk10,000 with interest for farmers, and providing special honoraria for religious leaders across communities.
The leaders requested Christian representation in the reserved women’s seats in Parliament and a government holiday on Easter Sunday, pledging their cooperation with the Tarique Rahman government. They also paid tribute to late Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, noting that prayers for her were held in 7,000 churches and that prayers are now offered daily for the current government.
Tarique Rahman assured that the government would consider the demands raised by the Christian community. The delegation later presented a crest to the Prime Minister to mark the Easter Sunday occasion.
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