Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on people of all faiths to work together to build their desired Bangladesh, stressing that the country belongs to everyone regardless of religious identity.
“This country belongs to all of us. From today, let us pledge to work together to build the Bangladesh we aspire to, regardless of whether we are Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists or Christians,” he said.
The Prime Minister made the call while addressing thousands of people gathered along the roadside at Paglapir in Rangpur as he travelled from Saidpur to visit a Durga Puja mandap on Maha Navami.
Recalling the unity among people of different faiths during the Liberation War, Tarique Rahman said he wanted to build the country by bringing people of all religions together.
“We want to build this country with people of all faiths. Are you with me?” he asked the gathering.
The Prime Minister said people had entrusted the BNP with the responsibility of running the country following the February 12 election and that his government had been working to support working people since assuming office.
As part of these efforts, he said, the government had waived agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 for farmers, introduced Family Cards and launched the Farmer Card programme.
He also said monthly allowances had been arranged for imams, muezzins and religious leaders of other faiths.
The government was working to support people from all walks of life, particularly working people, he added.
Earlier, Tarique Rahman travelled from Dhaka to Saidpur by military aircraft, arriving at Saidpur Airport in Nilphamari at 9:50am. He was received by Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad and other officials and local leaders.
In Rangpur, the Prime Minister was scheduled to visit the puja mandap at Radha Gobinda Temple and exchange greetings with devotees. He was also scheduled to visit puja mandaps in Rajshahi and Chattogram before returning to Dhaka.
He was accompanied by BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury and other ministers, advisers and party leaders.
Earlier, the Prime Minister had visited puja mandaps in Dhaka’s Mohakhali and Banani areas with his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman.
Maha Navami marks the ninth day of Sharadiya Durga Puja. The five-day celebrations will conclude with the immersion of idols on Bijoya Dashami.
