Dhaka: President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday felicitated the Hindu community on the occasion of Durga Puja. In separate messages, the President and the Prime Minister said that they are happy to know that Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of Bengali Hindus, is being celebrated across the country amid festivity.

The President in his message said religious functions play a vital role in creating empathy among religious groups and uniting people.

‘Bangladesh is a unique example of communal harmony in the world as people of different religions are practicing their religion and social festivals peacefully,’ the President said and hoped that it would inspire all to contribute better to national development.

‘We all hope that the Sharadiya Durgotsab would further consolidate the bonds f friendship and fraternity among the religious communities,’ the President said.

In her message, the Prime Minister said the Sharadiya Durgotsab is not only a festival of Hindus, it has now become a common festival in Bangladesh.

‘The main theme of Durga Puja is the victory of good over evil and prayer for truth and beauty,’ she said.

The Prime Minister also said Bangladesh is a safe abode for people of all religious persuasions. ‘Our constitution ensures equal rights of the people of all faiths, irrespective of color, creed or gender,’ she added.

Sheikh Hasina hoped that the thousand-year old bond of communal harmony of Bangalees would be retained with the united effort of all to create a ‘Sonar Bangla,’ as envisaged by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.