Dhaka: Urging all to stay alert so that nobody can create confusion among people through misinterpretation of religions, President Abdul Hamid on Friday said the world community must give up the mentality of establishing religion-based state.

"In the past, the evil thoughts of establishing religion-based state or nation led to conflict and war among nations," he said while addressing a function during his visit to Gulshan-Banani Puja Mandop here in the afternoon on the occasion of Durja Puja.

Saying that humanity, brotherhood and sympathy of people had been ruined in the past in the name of religion, the President observed that evil forces are still active to establish religion-based states or nations.

About the role of religion, he said all religions had come for the welfare of people while religious customs always play a strong role in maintaining social discipline, and create sympathy and mutual ties among people.

Hamid said secularism, not religion, should be the base of establishment of a country or a nation.

"A society and a state with human values should be established involving people from all religions, not a single religion, where they will perform their respective religion with mutual respect, tolerance and liberal views," he said.

Noting that Bangladesh is a country of communal and inter-religion harmony, the President said all religious festivals are being celebrated here with festivities from the ancient era and now it is a tradition of Bangladesh.

Durga Puja is the biggest festival of the Hindu community, he said, adding that all religions show people the right path of leading life.

Secretaries concerned to the President and senior officials of Bangabhaban accompanied the President during his visit.