Stop sectarian war among Muslims: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has put emphasis on stopping sectarian war among the Muslims, saying that it ultimately benefits the arms traders.

"We're fighting among ourselves in different parts of the world, and the arms traders are ultimately benefiting from it ... this [war] must be halted and the problem will have to be solved through discussion," she said.

The prime minister made the remarks when visiting Saudi Majlis Ash-Shura Speaker Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Ale-Al-Sheikh called on her at her office in the capital on Thursday afternoon.

After the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

Referring to violence among various sects of the Muslims, the prime minister lamented that hundreds of people were being killed, and the Muslims were taking refuge in other countries. "It's a matter of shame, and we've to convince the misguided people to end this conflict."

Hasina said almighty Allah would deliver the last judgment. "So, why this division is among the Muslims, like Shia and Sunni ... this [division] must be stopped," she said.

She said the misguided people who thought that they would go to heaven by carrying out suicide attacks would go to hell.

The Saudi speaker said some people were being misguided in exchange for money, and such problems existed among the youths in all countries. "Division is being created by taking this advantage."

In this regard, Abdullah said ulema (religious scholars) would have to play a role in convincing the misguided people about the true spirit of Islam.

Referring to the Arabic Islamic American Historical Summit to be held in Riyadh on May 21, he said the problems of the Muslims would be discussed at the summit.

The Saudi Majlis Ash-Shura speaker conveyed the greetings of Saudi King and Custodian of the two holy mosques Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to the prime minister.

He said the Saudi king hoped that the brotherly relations between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh would be strengthened further.

The Saudi speaker said the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Saudi Arabia and his current tour to Bangladesh would further deepen the bilateral ties.

Hasina said Saudi Arabia had a special place in the hearts of all Bangladeshis, and they had an emotional attachment as the two holy mosques are there.

The Saudi speaker also briefed the PM on structure of Saudi Majlis Ash-Shura and informed her that the parliament has 30 women lawmakers, who are highly educated with PhD degrees.

Bazlul Haque Harun, MP, Senior PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum and Saudi Ambassador in Dhaka Abdullah Al-Mutairi were present on the occasion.