A. F. M. Asad Ullah: BNP’s Joint Secretary for National Executive Committee, Miftah Siddiqui, stated that Bangladesh is a land of communal harmony. Here, Ramadan and Puja are celebrated simultaneously. In the past, accomplices of fascist regimes divided the population by labeling them as minorities and majorities, creating communal divisions. However, our message is very clear: Bangladesh does not belong to divisions of minority or majority—it belongs to everyone. People of all religions and backgrounds are proud citizens of this country.
He made these remarks on Saturday afternoon while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the Peace Procession organized by the Sylhet Buddhist Association on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.
He further added, “Sylhet is a city of harmony. Here, mosques, temples, and churches coexist in the same vicinity. The people of Sylhet collectively celebrate festivals of all religions. The forces that fled the country during the mass uprising of students and citizens are now trying to disrupt our communal harmony. We must remain vigilant against their efforts.”
He conveyed Buddha Purnima greetings to all Buddhists on behalf of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
The event was presided over by the President of the Sylhet Buddhist Association, Chandra Shekhar Barua, and moderated by its General Secretary, Sujan Barua Bandhan.
Special guest remarks were delivered by SMP’s Additional Police Commissioner Masud Rana.
Other speakers included Sanghananda Mahathero, Principal of Sylhet Buddhist Monastery; Shrimata Pragya Satya Thero, Founder-Director of Chari Mahatirtha; Advisors of Sylhet Buddhist Association Nishutus Barua, Bipul Barua, and Sukanti Barua; Jyoti Mitra Barua; President of Dhanshiri Buddhist Monastery, Bauddha Das; and renowned writer Niranjan Dey.
