Existing Harmony Must Be Strengthened Further, Labour Minister Ariful Haque Says Visiting Puja Mandaps in Moulvibazar

Labour and Employment and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has said Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians — people of all faiths in this country — must work together to strengthen the existing harmony further, he said.

The minister made the remarks on Tuesday (20 October) after visiting the Durga Puja at the Trinayani Shivbari Temple in Moulvibazar sadar upazila. He called on everyone to pray to the Creator to make the country a beautiful and peaceful one.

M Naser Rahman, member of parliament for Moulvibazar-3, was present as special guest. Local administration officials, political leaders and members of the temple management committee were present for the visit.

The minister said the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is providing the necessary cooperation for a beautiful and smooth celebration of Durga Puja. Ministers, state ministers and members of parliament of the government are working in their respective districts and constituencies to complete the Puja arrangements in an orderly manner.

Later, answering journalists' questions, Ariful Haque Chowdhury said he had visited various Puja mandaps in Sylhet on Monday and had come to Moulvibazar on Tuesday. In his words, this year's Durga Puja is being held in a far more orderly and cordial atmosphere than last year.

The minister added that the Prime Minister has extended more cooperation for the Puja celebrations this time, so that followers of the Hindu faith can observe their religious festival without hindrance. He emphasised enriching mutual harmony among people of all faiths as Bangladeshis.

Present during the temple visit were Moulvibazar district council administrator Mizanur Rahman, deputy commissioner Touhiduzzaman Pavel, police superintendent Manirul Islam, district BNP convenor Fayzul Karim Moyun, member secretary Abdur Rahman Ripon and senior member M A Mukit.

Also present were Trinayani Shivbari Temple management committee president Swagata Kishore Das Chowdhury, officials of various government departments, temple committee members, visitors and journalists.

Later, the minister visited the Sri Sri Natun Kalibari Temple and the Maheshwari Puja mandap in Moulvibazar sadar. After Sylhet, Moulvibazar — the two-day run of mandap visits in two districts of Sylhet Division brought the government's attention to festival security and order to the fore.

One message returned again and again in the minister's remarks — everyone, regardless of religion or caste, must stay together and make the existing harmony stronger. He left that call with local people at the end of his Moulvibazar mandap visit.

Whether the same orderly and cordial atmosphere holds at the mandaps for the remaining days of Durga Puja is now the main task before the local administration and organisers. After the minister's visit, monitoring of Puja arrangements across the district will continue, those concerned said.