Religious Harmony in Bangladesh

[Pocket_Vorti_Megh]

Bangladesh people very liberal in religious outlook: US congressman

NEW YORK, Sept 29 (BSS) - Bangladesh is a tolerant democratic nation where people are religiously very liberal, US Congressman Joseph Crowley told a seminar on "Religious Harmony and Democracy in Bangladesh" here yesterday.

He said Bangladesh was different from some other South Asian nations, which are riven by conflicts on the question of religion, racism and establishment of democratic system.

Crowley said the Bangladeshi immigrants living in US are always eager to ensure welfare of their motherland and working hard to uphold the image of Bangladesh.

He assured that the US congress would always contribute to the efforts of Bangladesh in attaining the economic development.

The seminar, which was organized for the first time here by the expatriates, was addressed, among others, by Co-chairman of Bangladesh Hindu-Boudhha-Christian Welfare Front and State Minister for Water Resources Advocate Goutam Chakrobarty, Adviser to the Commerce Ministry Barkatullah Bhulu, Khondoker Mahbubuddin Ahmed MP, folklore researcher and eminent writer Dr Ashraf Siddiqui and scientist Dr Fredousi Begum.

Eminent columnist and Press Institute of Bangladesh chairman Sedeque Khan presented the key-note paper in the function, which was presided over by president of Bangladesh expatriates citizens committee president Mohadeb Sarker.

Goutam Chakrobarty told the seminar that Bangladesh was glaring example of a nation, which had unflinching social and religious harmony. He said an identified vested quarter was trying to fulfill its selfish interest time and again by spreading communal venom at home and abroad.

He said there was never any communal conflict in Bangladesh after its independence. Not a single drop of blood of any Hindu was shed when in India, which claimed to be the worshiper of democracy, a large number of Muslims were killed in communal riots in Gujarat.

The state minister said " I do not see where you can find a country with so strong feeling of communal harmony like Bangladesh."

Chakrobarty said after the general elections in 2001, at the instigation of the defeated forces, Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad was globally propagating existence of communalism in Bangladesh.

He said the Hindu, Bouddha and Christian communities did not respond to the call of the Parishad.

[Pocket_Vorti_Megh]

Powell praises Bangladesh

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has praised Bangladesh for being "an elegant, compelling and greatly needed voice of moderation".

Most Bangladeshis object to Mr Powell's government's role in Iraq
On a brief visit to Dhaka he said that the country was an important ally in the war against terrorism and was quick to contribute towards the relief effort in Afghanistan.

Mr Powell said he discussed the possibility of Bangladesh deploying troops in Iraq during his meeting with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister, Morshed Khan.

The meeting took place in Dhaka after Mr Powell arrived in the Bangladeshi capital on a brief visit on his way to Jordan from Cambodia.

While confirming that the issue of deployment was discussed, Mr Powell said he did not make any special request for troops.

But he said Bangladesh was aware of the United Nations Resolution 1483 which calls upon all the members states to assist as appropriate.


"This is a matter for ultimately the government to decide, not for the United States to demand," Mr Powell told reporters.

"It's up to them to decide what might be an appropriate contribution."


There were relatively few protests

On other areas, Mr Powell said Bangladesh had made successful efforts to improve the rule of law, close down unprofitable state-owned state enterprises and lower infant mortality rates.

Mr Powell said that America was now Bangladesh's main trading partner, receiving one-third of its total exports.

But he cautioned that the country still faced many daunting challenges.

'Pull together'

"Bangladesh's democracy stands out for the enormous strides it has made over the years. There can and must be many more strides forward," Mr Powell told reporters.

"Whatever the differences between political parties, the people of Bangladesh need their leaders to pull together if the country is to continue to move ahead.

A BBC correspondent in Dhaka says the Bangladesh Government will be pleased with the secretary of state's upbeat assessment of their country.

He made no reference to the opposition Awami League's complaints of rising lawlessness, nor did he comment on allegations that some independent journalists have been persecuted by the authorities.

Our correspondent says the government will also be gratified that there were few public protests over Mr Powell's visit, even though the overwhelming majority of people were opposed to the war in Iraq.

[Pocket_Vorti_Megh]

Thomas lauds religious tolerance

Staff Correspondent

US Ambassador Harry K Thomas yesterday said the peaceful celebration of Durga Puja simultaneously with Ramadan testifies to 'tremendous amount of tolerance' and commitment to constitutional commitments.

"This shows the tremendous level of tolerance in the country ... and the people are enjoying constitutional right by practising their own religion," said Thomas when asked by reporters about his message on the celebration of Durga Puja and Ramadan at a puja mandap in Mirzapur, Tangail.

Thomas also lauded the peaceful coexistence of various religious communities in the country saying he has seen people from all religions at the puja mandap.

The US envoy attended the Sandhya Arati (evening offerings) at Kumudini complex in Mirzapur after his visits to Bharateswari Homes School and Kumudini Hospital, both inside the complex, set up by late philanthropist Raybahadur Ranada Prosad Saha.

Rajib Prasad Saha, grandson of RP Saha, other members of the Saha family and the Kumudini trust members, school and hospital staffs were pres

[Pocket_Vorti_Megh]

what do u guys think of it?

[Pocket_Vorti_Megh]

for a democratic country, the religious harmony is taken for granted.
then why we have these issues still?

[DeV|L]

What is your point here man? People of other religions is NOT in peace in Bangladesh! The ones living in Dhaka are a bit better off (but still face a lot of problems). The ones living outside dhaka especially in the villages go through a lot of trouble. Plus the threat of bombs and stuff during each of their religious occasions. I don't see any point in posting comments made my US congressman. As far as I remember, these same congressman in other speeches talked about the religious violence. If you know US politics by now, you should know that they cannot be trusted.

[Rainy]

I agree with devil...specially from the time of this government...relegious harmony has just become a fun

We call it a "gonoprojantontry" country not "Islamic projantonrty"....dhormo niropekhkhota bolte just aetukui ase ae deshe...just a name!

But I have faith on my country...I have faith on the people...it will be over. We have a glorious past. Our freedom fighters didnt give away thier lives to get a Bangladesh like this. And I stil beleive there are people...even in the government... who want to make it stop too.The country will not turn into a Afganistan or Pakistan...I have faith....

Time will say...

[DeV|L]

Well said Rainy. Keep voting the islamists to power all the time. And your dreams will surely come true! :roll:

[Rainy]

If you're not getting me...I 'm not talking about Islamists....I'm rathertelling aeta shudhu namei gonoprojantontri...
Ami bolsi je wtever Bangladesh is not the Bangladesh we wanted...
But I have faith on it je akdin we will get the Bangladesh we wanted!
Amra aikhane boshe boshe politiciander bashing korle ki hobe?Amra just kothai boli..kichu korina! Nobody will go and join it. Nobody will care much. Everyone will look after ourselves.
So we have to have faith on them...everyone is not bad...otherwise country ta cholto na. Still there are people who really wants to do something...even among the politicians too...
Thats it

[DeV|L]

Hehehe. Not really. Amra khali kotha boli naa. You see we are not the problem. The problem lies with the 80% of the popular who are illiterate. The problem lies wit the 56% of the population who are below the poverty line. The politicians with their deep pockets are taking advantage of that situation. They consider the citizens of this country as insects. Jus buy them out during the election and et voila! So those of us who can perceive the situation and cannot be bought with money (unless am paid a few lakhs) can't do much. Our votes are only a minority! :)

[queen of the universe]

oho....ami eto boro post ta porte parlamna...pore porbo.... tarpor post korbo

[sidewinder]

gangorbho alochona..... :roll:

[queen of the universe]

haha...ime alagsa maja hai...i m going to ead it now...get ready for another gyangorvo post :D

[queen of the universe]

first a PVMer post porlam...US govt kono kaj adayer age emon lomba dialog chare...just for eyewash outwardly,basically they give inner pressure.....they need our ARMY for iraq or else....they dont mean what they say..i also dont think our country has communalism...keno??illiteracy is a big fact..manush voyanok gowar type...ami majhe majhe gram a jai....tokhon dekhi manush ki voyanok gowar type eshob bepar a..... tara ja blive kore ta shohoje change kora jayna...cause tader mone shei flexibility nai....education can make them magnanimous but they dont have education....thats y they dont have the room to accept communalism

[DeV|L]

The worst thing is...in case of religion...the villagers will eat any crap you throw at them without analyzing it using logic...religion is not like our skin that we have to stick to it no matter what...we have the right to analyze...scrutinize...gain more knowledge and in the end respect it more!