Religion belongs to communities but festival to all: President

Mentioning that sense of unity and secularism is the long-practicing characteristics of people of Bangladesh, President Abdul Hamid yesterday said religion belongs to a community but festival belongs to all.

The President was talking to media during a reception he hosted to members of the Hindu community at Bangabhaban on occasion of Durga Puja.  President exchanged greetings and pleasantries during reception. Religious Affairs Minister Principal Matiur Rahman, along with Hindu religious personalities and leaders of various puja committees were also present.

"Bangladesh is a country  of communal harmony.

Here the people of all religions are practicing their respective religious rituals and social programmes peacefully and amid fanfare," he said.

Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran and Nepalese Ambassador Hari Kumar Shrestha also joined the reception.