‘The message of peace of religion must be established within oneself’
On the occasion of Christmas, Chief Adviser to the Interim Government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, exchanged greetings with representatives of the Christian community. At the time, he said, every religion has a message of peace. That message of peace must be established within oneself.
The Chief Adviser said this while exchanging greetings with representatives of the Christian community at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday (December 24).
Giving Christmas greetings, the Chief Adviser said, I am very happy to meet you today. We want religious unity. We do not want these words minority, majority. In this country, we are all one family, we will all live together - this is our dream. Everyone must come forward to realize this dream.
'We are the same people. Our identity as people comes first, then religion. Every religion has a message of peace. That message of peace must be established within oneself. Only then will the differences be removed. If the message of peace of one's own religion is established in one's mind, one will find it in other religions as well. Then there will be no more differences with other religions. Our children will have a beautiful childhood, he said.
Moderated by Religious Adviser Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, the leaders of Christian faiths, including Archbishop Bijoy N. D'Cruz, the chief religious leader of Catholic Christians in Bangladesh, Bishop Philip P. Adhikari, the president of the National Christian Fellowship of Bangladesh, President of Bangladesh Christian Association Nirmal Rosario, Secretary General of Bangladesh Christian Association Iglesias Hemant Koraiya and President of Bangladesh Christian Alliance Daniel Nirmal D'Costa, delivered welcome speeches among the leaders of Christian faiths.
In their speeches, they expressed hope that generosity and communal harmony will develop in Bangladesh under the leadership of the Chief Adviser and assured maximum cooperation from the Christian community.
Briefly mentioning the biography, ideals and message of peace of Jesus Christ, Archbishop Bijoy N. D'Cruz said, the doors of new possibilities have opened in Bangladesh due to the mass uprising of the student masses. Professor Yunus has taken on the difficult responsibility of running the country. You are wise, honest and a trusted person in Bangladesh. Under your leadership, may Bangladesh become democratic, secular and non-sectarian, may love, compassion, humanity, brotherhood and forgiveness develop among people. This is our prayer on Christmas. Bangladesh will move forward under your leadership. The Christian community is by your side.
They specially thanked the interim government for donating 25 million taka to the Christian Religious Welfare Trust on the occasion of Christmas. They said that this donation has been distributed to churches across the country.
At this time, they gifted a Bible to the Chief Adviser on the occasion of Christmas.
Law Adviser Professor Dr Asif Nazrul, Industry Advisor Adilur Rahman Khan, and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan.