Members of the diplomatic community in Bangladesh joined Durga Puja celebrations at temples and pandals in Dhaka and beyond, extending greetings to the Hindu community and highlighting the country's rich cultural heritage, religious diversity and spirit of communal harmony.
The Hindu community says participation of members of the diplomatic community in this year's festivities underscored the importance of cultural engagement and respect for religious diversity in Bangladesh, where festivals play a vital role in strengthening social bonds and promoting understanding among communities.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said all citizens of Bangladesh enjoy equal rights regardless of their religious identity, stressing that being Bangladeshi matters more than belonging to a majority or minority community.
"Majority or minority is not the issue. The only thing that matters is that you are Bangladeshi," he said while visiting the JM Sen Hall puja mandap in the port city on the occasion of Durga Puja on Tuesday, noting that people of different faiths fought together in the 1971 War of Liberation without distinguishing between Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi took part in celebrations at several venues across the capital, including Jagannath Hall at the University of Dhaka, Dhakeshwari National Temple, Ramna Kali Mandir and the Gulshan-Banani Sarbajanin Puja Foundation.
He exchanged greetings with devotees, students and organisers, sharing in the festive spirit of the occasion. Sharadiya Durga Puja concludes today (21 October) with Bijoya Dashami.
On Maha Ashtami, Trivedi inaugurated the distribution of Mahaprasad at Dhakeshwari National Temple. He visited the Durga Puja pandal at Uttara Sarbojanin Temple, joining devotees in observing the festival.
Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe also attended the Aarti Competition at Dhakeshwari Temple, where performers of different age groups presented the traditional Dhanuchi dance to the rhythmic beats of the dhak.
Other diplomatic missions also conveyed their greetings and joined the festivities, celebrating the traditions and cultural vibrancy of Bangladesh's Hindu community.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen joined the celebrations at Sarbajanin Puja Mandap in Amlapara, sharing the warmth, colour and joy of the festivities with members of the Hindu community. He extended his greetings in Bengali, saying, "Sobaike Sharadiya Subeccha."
Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Reto Renggli attended Durga Puja celebrations at the Kumudini Welfare Trust in Tangail, describing the festival as an important reflection of Bangladesh's rich social, cultural and religious diversity.
The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka wished everyone a happy Durga Puja, expressing hope that the festival would serve as a reminder of the values of peace, harmony, inclusiveness and mutual respect that bring communities together.
The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka wishes everyone a happy celebration of Durga Puja.
"As people across Bangladesh come together to celebrate Durga Puja, we send our warmest wishes to all and hope the festival serves as a reminder of the values of peace, harmony, inclusiveness, and respect that bring communities together," said the Embassy.
Ambassador Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, High Commissioner of Canada Ajit Singh, Ambassador of Sweden Reto Renggli and the Embassy colleagues joined the festivities and experienced the warmth, traditions, and vibrant cultural heritage that make Durga Puja such a special occasion. "May this festive season bring joy, peace, and prosperity to all."
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, meanwhile, extended its warm wishes to the Hindu community in Bangladesh and around the world, hoping the festival would bring peace, happiness, harmony and prosperity.
The Embassy of France in Bangladesh also wished everyone celebrating a joyful and peaceful Durga Puja.
Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of Bangladesh's Hindu community, is marked by days of worship, cultural performances and community gatherings at temples and temporary pandals across the country.
Beyond its religious significance, the festival offers an opportunity for people from different backgrounds to come together in a shared celebration of culture, tradition and coexistence.