President Abdul Hamid urged the countrymen irrespective of all religions and opinions to play a proper role in national development by maintaining tradition of communal harmony.
The President was speaking at a reception he hosted for members of the Buddhist Community at Bangabhaban on Tuesday afternoon on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the community.
Noting that Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony, the President said people of all religions of the country have been performing their respective religious rituals freely. “It is our tradition of harmony,” he said.
President Abdul Hamid said Gautama Buddha had disseminated verses of equality and friendship in his entire life for establishing a peaceful world.
“I believe, the idealism of Buddha can play an important role in checking degradation of values and establishing peace in the society in this present unruly and intolerant world,” the President said.
State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing, Buddhist religious leaders including Satya Priyo Mohathero, ambassadors and high commissioners of different Buddhist countries including Thailand, Sri Lanka and Bhutan, representatives of various international organizations and professionals of Buddhist community attended the reception. The President and his wife welcomed the guests and exchanged greetings with them.
Secretaries to the President’s office were present on the occasion.
