President urges "for strengthening religious fraternity"

President Abdul Hamid today urged the people of all religions to further strengthen the existing fraternity and friendly bonding with a view to achieving national advancement and prosperity.

"Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. All religious festivals are celebrated here in general and people of all religions have been observing their respective religion from the time immemorial maintaining mutual harmony and friendship," he said while greeting the Hindu community at a reception here.

The President hosted the reception at Bangabhaban on the occasion of Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Sri Krishna.

Abdul Hamid said the ideal of Sri Krishna was to build real love and harmony among the people removing clashes in the society. Throughout his life he had searched the path of emancipation of the humanity, he added.

Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, Religious Affairs Minister Principal Matior Rahaman and State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Narayan Chandra Chanda were present at the reception.

Hindu community personalities, leaders of the community and people from various professions of the community joined the reception. High Commissioner of India and Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh were also present on the occasion.

The President welcomed the guests at Bangabhaban and exchanged greetings with them.