Bangladesh leads in communal harmony: President

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that no other country in the world can match Bangladesh’s communal harmony, stressing the need to preserve the tradition of peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths.

Speaking after visiting a Durga Puja mandap at Ramna Kali Temple on Sunday, October 18, the president said Hindus in Bangladesh were celebrating Durga Puja peacefully while violence and hatred continued to rage in different parts of the world.

He criticised what he described as misinterpretations and misinformation about Bangladesh’s communal harmony and urged people of all communities to maintain mutual love, peace and solidarity.

The president said the central philosophy of Durga Puja—the triumph of good over evil—was also reflected in Bangladesh’s history. He noted that whenever evil forces had emerged in the country, people had united to defeat them. He also referred to the role of Begum Khaleda Zia in uniting the nation to overcome such forces.

Highlighting security arrangements at Puja venues, the president said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had issued specific instructions to the government and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to ensure security at every mandap.

He said law enforcement agencies had been directed to maintain security, while party leaders and activists had also been asked to take an active role in protecting the venues.

Condemning what he described as deliberate attempts in different parts of the world to undermine communal harmony, the president said Bangladesh would remain committed to preserving its tradition of peaceful coexistence.

He also expressed regret that state protocols and formalities had prevented all devotees from attending the event. He said he would have been happier if thousands of people could have gathered at the venue and welcomed him.

The president expressed hope that security arrangements at future religious celebrations could be made more routine and less restrictive, allowing people to celebrate without the need for exceptionally tight security.