Dhaka: President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday said that there is no room for hatred, spite, violence and localism in Islam as it upholds the spirit of human values, mutual coexistence, absolute tolerance, equality and universal welfare.

He said this while speaking at a reception on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr at Bangabhaban in the morning, reports the UNB.

President Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanam hosted the reception that continued till noon from 11:00am.

‘Islam is a religion of peace and welfare. There is no place for hatred, spite, violence and localism in Islam. Islam upholds the spirit of human values, mutual coexistence, absolute tolerance, equality and universal welfare,’ the head of the state said.

He said that the month of Ramadan is very significant for Muslim that teaches the lesson of patience, amity and empathy. ‘If the lesson of the Ramadan is reflected in our personal, family, social, and national life, [then] communal harmony will be established in the society,’ he said.

‘Communal harmony is also mandatory for the socio-economic development of the country. Religion is the source way of life and inspires to build enlightened people,’ he added.

The President said that Eid means joy. ‘Eid-ul-Fitr brings the message of happiness after the month-long fasting and practice of self-restraint. Let the joy spread amongst all,’ he said.

He also said that people, irrespective of their classes and professions, living in the big cities return to their loved ones in the villages to develop bond of harmony, amity and unity amongst themselves.

He urged all to stand together and share their joy with the people forgetting the difference between the rich and the poor.

The President also expected that religious programmes will be the reunion of harmony and bonding.

Calling for spreading the message and ideal of the Islam to all, the President extended his greetings and good wishes to the people of Bangladesh and all the people in the world on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Fitr.

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque, State Minister for Religious Affairs Sheikh Md Abdullah, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, members of parliament, judges, leaders of different political parties, academics, the chiefs of three services, Inspector General of Police, representatives of the business community, religious personalities, vice chancellors of different private and public universities, editors, senior journalists, artistes, high civil and military officials attended the reception.

The dean of the diplomatic corps, ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries in Bangladesh and the head of international agencies also took part in the programme.