Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on people of all religious communities to work together to build a prosperous and harmonious Bangladesh, stressing that the country belongs equally to Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians.

“Bangladesh is our country, and we must all work together to build it into a better place. Let this be our shared aspiration,” he said.

The prime minister made the remarks at a brief roadside gathering in Paglapir on Tuesday morning, while travelling from Saidpur to Rangpur to visit Durga Puja mandaps on the occasion of Maha Navami. Thousands of people had gathered along both sides of the road to greet him.

PM Highlights Welfare Initiatives

Tarique Rahman said the people had entrusted the BNP with the responsibility of governing the country following the February 12 election. Since forming the government, he added, efforts had been made to support working-class people and improve the welfare of ordinary citizens.

The government had waived agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 for farmers and introduced the Family Card programme, while steps were being taken to launch the Farmer Card initiative, he said.

He also highlighted the introduction of monthly allowances for imams, muezzins and religious leaders from different faiths.

“Through these initiatives, the government is trying to stand beside people from all walks of life,” he said.

Calls for Unity Rooted in Liberation War

The prime minister recalled that people of different religions had fought together in Bangladesh’s Liberation War and said the same spirit of unity should guide the country’s development.

“We want to build our country together with people of every religion. Are you with me?” he asked the crowd.

Those present raised their hands in support, according to the report.

Tarique Rahman urged Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians to participate collectively in nation-building, maintaining mutual respect, communal harmony and national unity.

PM’s Durga Puja Tour Covers Three Divisions

Earlier on Tuesday, the prime minister departed Tejgaon Airport in Dhaka at around 9:00 am aboard a military aircraft and arrived at Saidpur Airport in Nilphamari at 9:50 am.

He was welcomed by Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, Rangpur City Corporation Administrator Advocate Mahfuz Un Nabi Chowdhury Don, Rangpur Development Authority Chairman Shamsuzzaman Samu and other senior officials.

In Rangpur, he is scheduled to visit the Durga Puja mandap at the Radha Gobinda Temple and exchange greetings with worshippers. He is then expected to visit Puja mandaps in Rajshahi and Chattogram before returning to Dhaka at night.

Members of the delegation accompanying him include BNP Standing Committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy; Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr A Z M Zahid Hossain; BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi; Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury; State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam; Prime Minister’s Adviser Rehan Asif Asad; Special Assistant Bijon Kanti Sarkar; and BNP Special Secretary Belayet Hossain Mridha, among others.

Earlier in the morning, Tarique Rahman visited Durga Puja mandaps in Dhaka’s Mohakhali and Banani areas with his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman.

Maha Navami is being observed across Bangladesh on Tuesday. The Sharadiya Durga Puja celebrations will conclude on Wednesday with the immersion of the idols on Bijoya Dashami.