Bangladesh Is a Land of Communal Harmony, Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury Says During Moulvibazar Puja Visit
Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony, Labour and Employment and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said after visiting Durga Puja mandaps in Moulvibazar. He said the existing harmony among Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians must be made stronger through collective effort.
The minister made the remarks on Tuesday (20 October) after visiting the Durga Puja at the Trinayani Shib Bari temple in Moulvibazar Sadar upazila. He urged everyone to pray to the Creator to turn the country into a beautiful and peaceful land.
M Naser Rahman, the MP for Moulvibazar-3, was present as special guest during the visit. Also present were Moulvibazar district council administrator Mizanur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner Touhiduzzaman Pavel, Superintendent of Police Monirul Islam, district BNP convener Fayzul Karim Moyun, member-secretary Abdur Rahman Ripon and senior member MA Mukit.
Swagoto Kishore Das Chowdhury, president of the Trinayani Shib Bari temple management committee, along with officials of various government departments, committee members, visitors and journalists, was also there.
The minister said the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is providing the necessary support for a beautiful and smooth celebration of Durga Puja. Ministers, state ministers and MPs are working in their assigned districts and constituencies to ensure the puja arrangements are completed in an orderly manner, he added.
Answering journalists' questions, Ariful Haque Chowdhury said, “Yesterday (Monday) I visited various puja mandaps in Sylhet, and today (Tuesday) I have come to Moulvibazar. This year's Durga Puja is being held in a far more orderly and cordial atmosphere than last year.”
He added that the Prime Minister has extended more support for the puja celebrations this time, so that followers of the Hindu faith can observe their religious festival without disruption. As Bangladeshis, he stressed, the mutual harmony among people of all religions should be enriched further.
After the Trinayani Shib Bari temple, the minister also visited the Sri Sri New Kalibari temple and the Maheshwari puja mandap in Moulvibazar Sadar, bringing this year's Sharodiya Durga festival arrangements in the Sylhet-division district under special official attention.
Amid crowds of visitors at mandaps across Sylhet and Moulvibazar, the minister's visits added to the festive mood among Hindu devotees. Organisers say the presence of the administration and public representatives is allowing them to celebrate the festival without hindrance.
