President for promoting democracy to stop terror

President Abdul Hamid yesterday underscored the need for promoting democratic values and non-communal spirit to free the country from communalism, superstition, terrorism and militancy.

"Autocracy and rise of militancy hampered our development and advancement many times. Communalism, superstition, terrorism and militancy are still hindering the country's democratic march. Democratic values and non-communal spirit have to be promoted to be free from those," he said at the “28th Mahboobullah Award” distributing ceremony organised by Begum Zebunnessa and Kazi Mahboobullah Janakalyan Trust at the capital's Shilpakala Academy.

Besides the government, various social service-oriented organisations have to come forward to flourish good sense and moral values in this regard, he said.

"There are many wealthy persons in our society. They do not have shortage of money. They lead lavish lives. I will urge them to contribute to social development," he added.

"Come forward to serve the distressed people and contribute to developing the living standard of the poor by arranging sources of income for them. Then people of your area will remember you and your contribution," said he, adding that real happiness can come through dedication in the welfare of the humanity.

Prof Dr Syed Manzoorul Islam (literature), Rafiqun Nabi (Fine Arts), Bangladesh Agricultural University (Science-Agriculture) and Sultana Kamal (lifetime achievement) were honoured with awards in the programme.

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, Begum Zebunnessa and Kazi Mahbubullah Janakalyan Trust Chairman Zobaida Mahbub Latif and member of the trust Prof Kazi Shahidullah also spoke.