Sheikh Hasina says Muslim nations should unite against terrorism
PM tells OIC secretary gen
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Muslim nations could settle their disputes through talks and take a united stance against terrorism.
"Muslim Ummah should be united to adopt a stance against terrorism, but unfortunately Muslim countries are fighting each other and giving chance to others for taking the advantage," she said.
The PM made the comment when visiting Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Iyad Ameen Madani paid a courtesy call on her at her office.
After the meeting, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters. He said Hasina mentioned that terrorists were just terrorists, and the question of religion should not come when it came to terrorism.
The premier said Islam is a religion of peace and harmony that teaches about tolerance. “The essence of Islam should be known properly,” she said.
Referring to the terrorist attacks on a Saudi Arabian mosque, Hasina strongly criticised the incident and said Islam never supported such heinous acts.
About the OIC's role in the development of education sector, the PM laid emphasis on science- and technology-based education in the context of the OIC's initiatives.
In this regard, Hasina mentioned that her government established a number of science-and technology- based universities in the country to promote science and ICT-based education.
Besides, she said her government had also been promoting research activities by allocating funds separately.
Highlighting the past glorious history of Muslim researchers, the prime minister said they were the pioneers of science-based education and scientific research, and mentioned that her government made the religious education compulsory.
During the meeting, OIC Secretary General Madani said the OIC is now a 40-year-old organisation. "The basic philosophy of the organisation is to integrate Muslim countries.”
About Bangladesh, he said the country is always in the forefront of the OIC activities and playing its due role there.
Madani invited the PM to attend the next OIC Summit to be held in 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad were, among others, present during the meeting.
Later, Madani, who is leading a six-member delegation, also met Mahmood Ali at his ministry and discussed a wide range of issues and exchanged views on developments in the regional and international arena, particularly in the Muslim world, according to a foreign ministry press release.
The OIC chief also visited International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b). He arrived in Dhaka on a three-day official visit on Saturday.