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President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Sunday called on everyone irrespective of their religions and castes to work together to take the country forward.

‘Everyone irrespective of religions and castes should work together to advance the country forward,’ he said while exchanging greetings with the Hindu community on the occasion of Durga Puja and Bijaya Dashami at Bangabhaban in Dhaka.

‘The basic message of all religions is welfare of the people. We are all Bangladeshis. All are here interrelated. There is no room for majority or minority here. All are one and belong to the same entity,’ the president said.

He said that religious values should be utilised for the welfare of the country and its people.

The non-communal spirit, mutual unity, amity and harmony existing in the culture of Bangladesh would contribute effectively to building a beautiful future and modern country, he observed.

‘Humanity now is troubled by the war-torn situation all over the world. The Russia-Ukraine war and the Middle East news have deeply affected the economy of Bangladesh along with the entire global economy. Besides, the people of the flood-affected areas of Bangladesh are living inhumane lives,’ he noted.

With a great vow of philanthropic activities, President Shahabuddin called upon the country people to stand by the helpless people of the country.

‘There is no alternative to absolute tolerance, mutual trust and cooperation to make Bangladesh a developed, prosperous and non-discriminatory country in the changed circumstances.’

The president said that Bengali traditions and culture were mixed with Durga Puja, which was not only a religious festival but also a social festival. The collective participation of all had made this festival universal.

‘Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony, a unique feature of our culture,’ he said, adding, ‘Existing harmony and mutual amity in the society must be maintained to accelerate national progress and prosperity.’

Mohammed Shahabuddin said that the pledge of this year’s Bijaya Dashami celebration was to build a progressive and peaceful social system for the new generation in line with mutual sympathy, harmony and human values.

President’s wife Rebeka Sultana, religious affairs adviser AFM Khalid Hossain, primary and mass education adviser professor Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, members of the diplomatic mission, Hindu religious Guru and also Ramakrishna Math as well as Ramakrishna Mission principal Srimat Swami Purnatmananda Maharaj, secretary of Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Krishnendu Kumar Pal, deputy director Prashanto Kumar Biswas, president of Bangladesh Puja Celebration Parishad Basudrb Dhar, general secretary Santosh Sharma and president of Mohanagar Sarbajonin Puja Committee Jayanta Kumar Deb and general secretary Tapas Kumar Pal participated in the event.

President office’s senior secretary Nasimul Ghani, military secretary major general Mohammad Adil Chowdhury and press secretary Md Joynal Abedin were present.