Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has urged his party leaders and activists to extend a helping hand to the Hindu community.
He made the call in a statement issued Thursday, ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja, the minority community’s biggest festival.
In the statement, Shafiqur also stressed that Jamaat leaders and activists, as conscious citizens of the country, will maintain social accountability toward people of all religions, including the Hindu community.
The full statement is as follows:
"Our beloved Bangladesh, spanning 55,000 square miles, is a shining example of communal harmony. For a very long time, people of all communities here have been celebrating their religious rituals and festivals peacefully according to their respective customs. I hope that all members of the Hindu community will celebrate their upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja—their largest festival—with full security.
"In light of our beautiful past traditions, I urge the government and the relevant law enforcement agencies to take effective measures to ensure that members of the Hindu community can celebrate their Puja this time as well with full security and peace of mind.
"As the main opposition party in the National Parliament and a people-friendly organization, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will also play a responsible role from its own position. People of various religions live in this country of ours. They will practice their respective religions freely. As conscious citizens of the country, Jamaat leaders and activists will maintain social accountability toward people of all religions, including the Hindu community, and extend a helping hand. This is a heartfelt call on behalf of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami."