Bangladesh an example of religious harmony: OIC

Bangladesh is now one of the brightest examples of religious harmony and peace, Dr Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), said yesterday.

He said this in a video message played at the function of the fourth day of the 10-day special programme marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the country's independence.

The OIC secretary-general said Bangladesh is always maintaining a strong partnership with the OIC for further peace, prosperity and development in the Muslim world.

He said it is his privilege to deliver this message on the occasion of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and the golden jubilee of the independence of Bangladesh. In 1971, Bangladesh became an independent nation under the visionary guidelines of the great leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Al-Othaimeen said.

In 1974, he said, Bangabandhu decided to join the newly created country as a member of the OIC. Since then, Bangladesh has been actively participating in and meaningfully contributing to the activities of the organisation, he said.

The Father of the Nation attended the second summit of OIC in 1974 with the aim of pioneering the relations between Bangladesh and the Islamic world and it was a historically important moment for joint Islamic actions and promoting peace and harmony among Muslim nations, he said.

Al-Othaimeen said the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh dedicated his life to fighting discrimination and inequality aiming to build "Golden Bangla".

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Bangabandhu, is continuing the fight against discrimination and inequality and working tirelessly to realise her father's vision "Golden Bangla".

A recorded video message of French Senator and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group for South East Asia Madame Jacqueline Deromedi was also played at the function, moderated by State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

The nation will celebrate the fifth day of the 10-day programme of the Birth Centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and golden jubilee of independence with the theme 'Dhongsostupe Jiboner Gan'.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud will deliver the welcome speech and moderate the function, said a press release.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and historian Dr Syed Anwar Hossain will take part in a discussion on the theme.