On Tuesday (23 September) evening, speakers expressed these opinions at a discussion meeting titled “Religious Festivals and Harmony in Bangladesh” held at the Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Finance (BIIF) Conference Hall in Motijheel, Dhaka. The program was organized by the Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought (BIIT) with the support of the U.S.-based Multifaith Neighbors Network (MFNN).
The meeting was presided over by BIIT Director General Professor Dr. M. Abdul Aziz. Among the speakers was Sheikh Mohammad Mohibullahil Baqi, Senior Pesh Imam of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram.
He said, “Islam is a religion of peace and harmony. The Qur’an states: ‘For you is your religion, and for me is mine.’ This verse teaches the essence of peaceful coexistence. Festivals should not be politicized but rather used as a platform for harmony.”
Sister Reba Veronica D’Costa, Coordinator of the Inter-Religious Dialogue Commission of Dhaka Archdiocese, said, “The essence of every religion is peace. Yet, we often hear of communal harmony being disrupted. The root cause lies in people’s failure to understand the core teachings of religion and in not following its guidance.”
Dr. Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, Secretary General of Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance, said, “Whether it is Durga Puja or Eid, the participation of people from all faiths in our festivals shows how sincerely we are connected with each other. This tradition must be passed on to our future generations.”
Dr. Abdullah Al Mahmud, Associate Professor of the Department of World Religions and Culture at Dhaka University, said, “It is unfortunate but true that most communal violence in our country is driven by personal interests and political involvement. To preserve communal harmony, religious leaders must deliver tolerant messages and refrain from divisive rhetoric.”
Ven. Bodhananda Mahathero, Senior Vice President of the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation, said, “Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians—we are all human beings. If we maintain compassion and harmony for all, Bangladesh can set a unique example of communal harmony.”
Advocate Dinbandhu Roy, President of Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance, said, “Our responsibility is to safeguard the bond of harmony. Although every religion teaches peace and harmony, we often fail to practice it. Unless we show respect to others, peaceful coexistence in society cannot be ensured.”
In his presidential address, Professor Dr. M. Abdul Aziz said, “The soil of Bangladesh has always been a meeting place of diverse religions and cultures. With Durga Puja approaching, we must ensure that no disruptions occur. If Muslims and people of all faiths stand beside one another, the bond of harmony will become even stronger. Moreover, if local communities of different faiths jointly participate in social activities, harmony and coexistence will be further strengthened.”
Other speakers included Professor Dr. Abdul Latif Masum of Jahangirnagar University’s Department of Government and Politics, writer and researcher Emdadul Haque Chowdhury, Bijoy Krishna Bhattacharya, Secretary General of Bangladesh Brahmin Society, Dr. Zakir Hossain Selim, Sajib Kund Topu, and Advocate Pradip Kumar Pal.
The program was conducted by Zahidur Rahman and coordinated by Abdullah Al Maruf. Representatives of different religions, journalists, and members of civil society were also present.