Fake followers create clashes between religions, says PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the people of all faiths to maintain dignity of their respective religions, saying the fake followers of religion create conflicts between religions, BSS reports. "Those who pretend to practise religion create clashes between religions, but those who believe in religion truly and have confidence and trust in themselves never take unjust measures," she said. The premier said the religion is undermined if anybody wants to use it terribly. "So, it's the responsibility of everybody to maintain dignity of his or her religion and take it to more dignified position," she said.
The prime minister was addressing a function arranged on the occasion of celebration of Christmas Day and civic reception to Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario at Krishibid Institution Auditorium in the capital.
Patrick D'Rozario, the highest ranking priest of the Roman Catholic Church in the country, has been appointed as a cardinal, the first ever to reach such a high position as Bangalee.
Pope Francis on November 19 promoted D'Rozario and 16 other Roman Catholic prelates from around the world to the rank of cardinal.
Religious Affairs Minister Principal Motiur Rahman, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, State Minister for Women and Children Meher Afroz Chumki also spoke.
Arch Bishop Shorod Francis Gomez presided over the function, while Convenor of the Committee to Celebrate X-Mas Day and Civic Reception and President of Bangladesh Christian Association Nirmal Rozario delivered the welcome address. The premier also said, as a Muslim, she performs her religion as she has confidence and trust in it. "So we always want to maintain such environment so that the people of other faiths could practise their religions peacefully," she added.
The premier said her government always believes that there would be equal rights of all faiths in Bangladesh. "It is our main policy and our constitution that was presented by Bangabandhu also mentioned this policy," she said.
Referring to the teachings of all religions, Sheikh Hasina said every religion speaks of peace and tolerance as well as humanity. "The religion also speaks about providing help to the neglected and hungry and disease-ridden people," she said.
The prime minister said she herself practise religion as she has trust and confidence in it. "So I equally honour other religions," she said. Sheikh Hasina said there is no room for terrorism, militancy and violence in any religion as all religions give the highest importance to the humanity and it's the biggest matter. "The people of all faiths will perform their respective religions and we believe in that principle," she said, quoting verses of Sura Qafirun. Quoting a speech of Bangabandhu, the prime minister said the main essence of that speech was religion is a sacred matter and none would be allowed to use it as a political weapon. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is a moderate country and its people are tolerant. "They always honour others and it is a reality," she said. She, however, added that "some problems are created sometimes." In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said after the independence, Bangabandhu had dedicated himself to the socioeconomic development of the country and beautiful environment for peaceful living was created at that time. "But that atmosphere was ruined by assassinating Bangabandhu in 1975 and ill efforts were made at that time to provoke communalism," she said.

 

Fake followers create clashes between religions, says PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the people of all faiths to maintain dignity of their respective religions, saying the fake followers of religion create conflicts between religions, BSS reports. Those who pretend to practise religion create clashes between religions, but those who believe in religion truly and have confidence and trust in themselves never take unjust measures, she said. The premier said the religion is undermined if anybody wants to use it terribly. So, its the responsibility of everybody to maintain dignity of his or her religion and take it to more dignified position, she said. The prime minister was addressing a function arranged on the occasion of celebration of Christmas Day and civic reception to Cardinal Patrick DRozario at Krishibid Institution Auditorium in the capital. Patrick DRozario, the highest ranking priest of the Roman Catholic Church in the country, has been appointed as a cardinal, the first ever to reach such a high position as Bangalee. Pope Francis on November 19 promoted DRozario and 16 other Roman Catholic prelates from around the world to the rank of cardinal. Religious Affairs Minister Principal Motiur Rahman, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, State Minister for Women and Children Meher Afroz Chumki also spoke. Arch Bishop Shorod Francis Gomez presided over the function, while Convenor of the Committee to Celebrate X-Mas Day and Civic Reception and President of Bangladesh Christian Association Nirmal Rozario delivered the welcome address. The premier also said, as a Muslim, she performs her religion as she has confidence and trust in it. So we always want to maintain such environment so that the people of other faiths could practise their religions peacefully, she added. The premier said her government always believes that there would be equal rights of all faiths in Bangladesh. It is our main policy and our constitution that was presented by Bangabandhu also mentioned this policy, she said. Referring to the teachings of all religions, Sheikh Hasina said every religion speaks of peace and tolerance as well as humanity. The religion also speaks about providing help to the neglected and hungry and disease-ridden people, she said. The prime minister said she herself practise religion as she has trust and confidence in it. So I equally honour other religions, she said. Sheikh Hasina said there is no room for terrorism, militancy and violence in any religion as all religions give the highest importance to the humanity and its the biggest matter. The people of all faiths will perform their respective religions and we believe in that principle, she said, quoting verses of Sura Qafirun. Quoting a speech of Bangabandhu, the prime minister said the main essence of that speech was religion is a sacred matter and none would be allowed to use it as a political weapon. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is a moderate country and its people are tolerant. They always honour others and it is a reality, she said. She, however, added that some problems are created sometimes. In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said after the independence, Bangabandhu had dedicated himself to the socioeconomic development of the country and beautiful environment for peaceful living was created at that time. But that atmosphere was ruined by assassinating Bangabandhu in 1975 and ill efforts were made at that time to provoke communalism, she said.