Dhaka:President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir emphasized the importance of ensuring the rights and dignity of the Christian community to foster a harmonious society in Bangladesh. He made this statement during a meeting with a 25-member delegation from the Christian Community, led by Assistant Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dhaka, Subrata B. Gomes, at Bangabhaban.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the President stated that Bangladesh rejects division and communalism under the guise of religion, and emphasized the need for a social movement to prevent the return of autocracy and fascism. He reaffirmed that Bangladesh is a country for all citizens, where equality is paramount, and no one should face deprivation or discrimination based on religious identity.
The delegation presented various issues affecting the Christian community and requested the President's cooperation. In response, the President acknowledged the significant contributions made by the Christian community in sectors such as education, health, and social services. He specifically highlighted the role of educational institutions like Holy Cross, St Gregory's, St Joseph, and Notre Dame in enhancing the country's educational standards and human resource development.
President Alamgir urged community leaders to actively present their reasonable issues regarding institutional management, land, and property, assuring them of his support in resolving these concerns. He called for collective efforts to maintain Bangladesh's long-standing tradition of mutual empathy and harmony and encouraged initiatives to preserve the languages, cultures, and heritage of various communities.
The President also reassured that the President's House remains open to all citizens and invited Christian community representatives to reach out to him regarding any reasonable problems or issues. The delegation included notable figures such as Ms. Anna Minj, Senior Vice-Chairman of the Christian Religious Welfare Trust, Father Hemanta Rozario, Principal of Notre Dame College, Father Charles, Vice-Chancellor of Notre Dame University, Sister Shikha Gomes, Principal of Holy Cross College, and Advocate John Gomes, Vice-Chairman of the Christian Religious Welfare Trust. The President’s Military Secretary, Secretary, and Press Secretary were also present during the meeting.