Bangladesh govt moves to boost harmony

The government is to launch a new initiative to get leaders of all religions together and speak against militancy and try to boost religious harmony, said police sources.

As part of the initiative, an event titled “Religious Harmony Conference” would be held at the auditorium of Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh this morning, said police headquarters sources.

They said the event would be the first of a series.

The initiative has been taken in the wake of recent attacks on people of different beliefs.

Talking to The Daily Star, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the aim of the programme is to make people aware about the religious bigots and to establish harmony among people of all religion.

"Earlier we held such programmes with only Muslim clerics in upazila and district levels. Now we will continue these types of programmes in all divisional cities with participants of all religions," he said.

In late last year, police headquarters held a number of views-exchange meetings with the country's alems and ulemas to curb militancy.

Back then, the events were over security concerns and probable rise of militancy in the country.

"We, the Bangladeshis, are pious but not religious bigots. No religion allows killing or burning people," the minister said, adding, "We will protest the killings from one place." 

The participants will also discuss about not hurting each others' religious sentiments and beliefs, the minister said.

Police sources said about 1,000 leaders of different religious communities are expected to attend today's event.

Of them, about 600 would be from the Muslim community, including 40 to 50 shia leaders, about 200 from the Hindu community and about 100 each from the Buddhist and Christian communities, they added.

The home minister is expected to be present as chief guest while Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque will preside over the event.