Communal harmony, peaceful coexistence prerequisites for development: Dr Khalid
Dr Khalid made the remarks while addressing the closing ceremony of a special training programme for project managers and executives this afternoon at the auditorium of the National Academy for Planning and Development (NAPD) in Nilkhet, Dhaka, as the chief guest.
Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain yesterday (24 December) said communal harmony and peaceful coexistence are essential prerequisites for sustainable development and building a progressive society.
"Bangladesh has enjoyed a long tradition of communal harmony and social amity since time immemorial, but a section of people is trying to exploit communal sentiments to serve their narrow interests," he said.
Dr Khalid made the remarks while addressing the closing ceremony of a special training programme for project managers and executives this afternoon at the auditorium of the National Academy for Planning and Development (NAPD) in Nilkhet, Dhaka, as the chief guest.
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The training programme was organised under the temple-based child and mass education project implemented by the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust.
The adviser said the government has strengthened patrols by law enforcement agencies and remains fully committed to ensuring the security of all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
Urging collective efforts to further strengthen unity among people of different faiths, Dr Khalid said the Ministry of Religious Affairs has been working to bring marginalised communities and underprivileged women and children into the mainstream of development.
"Alongside the temple-based child and mass education project, the mosque-based child and mass education project is providing both moral and modern education to children," he added.
He called upon project-related officials to ensure proper and effective implementation of the initiatives and urged vigilance so that project funds are not misused under any circumstances.
"Our personal affiliations may differ, but when we take on responsibilities, we must work impartially and discharge our duties with professionalism, honesty and sincerity," he said, also calling for abandoning partisanship and groupism to accelerate national development.
The programme was chaired by NAPD Director General (Senior Secretary) Siddiq Zobair and addressed by NAPD Additional Director General Saima Afroz and Deputy Director and Course Director Abeda Sultana.
A total of 25 officials, including project directors, deputy project directors and assistant project directors from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Socio-Economic Infrastructure Division, IMED, Hindu Religious Welfare Trust and concerned projects, participated in the five-day training programme.
The temple-based child and mass education project is being implemented at a cost of Tk365 crore with government funding. Under the project, pre-primary, adult and child education centres are being operated at 7,400 temples across the country.
