Ladies
and Gentlemen,
Good evening
At the outset, I would like to thank you all for joining me at this dinner we
have arranged for our friends of the United States Commission on International
Religious Freedom. We are happy that they have chosen to visit Bangladesh and
I hope that their stay here over the past few days has been pleasant and comfortable.
I also hope their interactions with our people and our leaders have been useful.
Commissioner
and Chairperson Michael Cromartie, Commissioner Preeta Bansal, and the distinguished
members of the delegation,
It becomes an interesting story as we turn to analyze the state of the bilateral
relations between Bnagladesh and the United States. Our two countries are at two
ends of a scale, in terms of geographical location and in terms of economy. You
represent the most powerful and richest country in the world. We are at the other
the other end. Yet there is indeed a meeting point which we believe has been the
driving force in the existing relationship of bilateral cooperation and friendship
between our two countries. This meeting point is the commitment of the peoples
of our two countries to the concept of freedom and democracy.
For a country of the size of one of your smallest states and a population that
is more than half of that of the entire USA, our existence as a functioning democracy
is no mean achievement. Our success in the social sectors particularly in gender
mainstreaming is recognized internationally.
Dear
friends, Bangladesh greatly values its relationship with the US. The American
people were with us in our hour of need and we were there with you in yours. This
makes our relationship a very special one.
The
spirit of freedom is engrained in hearts of the people of Bangladesh. We have
made costly sacrifices for the sake of freedom: we have shed blood for freedom
to speak in our own mother tongue; for freedom to determine our own national identity;
for the cause of democracy and upholding of human rights; and for a society free
of oppression, hatred and intolerance. The Constitution of Bangladesh stands guarantee
to these fundamental rights.
The strength that we derive from our veritable obsession for freedom has helped
in institutionalizing democracy and democratic practices despite many odds and
challenges, the most formidable being fighting poverty. It is because of this
commitment to democracy that peaceful transfers of power have taken place over
the past decade and a half through free and fair elections.
We
take pride in the fact Bangladesh exemplifies a time honoured history of communal
harmony. While it is a fact that with 88% of the people being Muslims and the
Islamic character of the society would be more visible, the multi religious character
of our society is at the same time observable to any discerning eye. Our people
who follow other religious faiths are completely free to practice their religious
faith as they wish. We have in our society devout Muslims, as much as we have
devout Hindus, devout Christians and devout Buddhists. The state has no role or
interference in this. There is no discrimination in respect of the rights and
opportunities of the people.
The cultural richness of Bangladesh is un-paralleled and transgresses religious
faiths. Our people come together with zeal and fervour in celebrating the Bangla
New Year, the Spring Festival, in music songs and dances; in poetry, in drama
and in celebration of national occasions. The traditions that have been handed
down to us from centuries are treasured and nurtured with passion.
We
have at this table leading members of the Bangladesh Council for Inter-faith Harmony,
some of whom you might have already met. Their presence here speaks eloquently
of what I say.
Mr.
Chair,
Your Commission is mandated by your Government to monitor the status of freedom
of thought, conscience, and religion and belief abroad. Your visit to Bangladesh
is to be seen in that light. On your return you would , I believe, report to your
Government with independent policy recommendations. Some countries perhaps may
not be too keen in receiving a foreign government organization to come to on a
specific mission to investigate a domestic situation. But we have nothing to hide
and therefore welcomed you and tried to facilitate your mission to the best of
our abilities.
I believe you have met the Archbishop D'Costa today. I
wonder if you have noticed that the Archbishop's Palace and the Kakrail Mosque,
which is one of the largest in the city, are located within a stone's throw of
each other. Never has there been an occasion where the churchgoers or the mosquegoers
have ever felt intimidated by each other. During the past two years the Muslim
holy month of Ramadan and the Hindu festival of Durga Puja have coincided with
each other. One was somber and the other festive. It is with a great sense of
pride that I can say the two communities have set an example of religious tolerance
by showing respect and appreciation for each other while observing their respective
festival. Our state run TV and Radio programs include recitation from the holy
books of all faiths of the country. The major religious festivals of all faiths
of the country are declared national holidays and people can avail optional holidays
to observe a day not included in the list without loss in pay.
Mr
Chair,
It is a tragedy of our present times that there are few that have forsaken the
values of freedom and have chosen to profess hatred and intolerance. It is a global
issue and these elements exist in every society and every country. It is unfortunate
that these groups receive more attention of the globalized media than what is
due.
An elected Government mandated by their people to uphold the sacred principles
of democracy, peace and respect for human rights cannot allow itself to be intimidated
by such elements. This is true for Bangladesh as it is for the US. In our case,
the Government has come down heavily on the perpetrators of terror and they are
now on the run. I say this with all conviction. The people of Bangladesh have
rallied behind the Government to reject these people because those who profess
violence and hatred do not discriminate among faiths. They are enemies of humankind.
Should anyone judge us by the acts of the few, they would surely be undermining
what the vast majority of our people stand for and that is the values of freedom.
I thank you .
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