Never Again Should Autocracy or Fascism Return: President
President Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for building the country together by ensuring the rights and dignity of the Christian community. He said Bangladesh does not want division and communalism in the name of religion. He said it is also never desirable for autocracy and fascism to return. For this, he said, a social movement must be built.
The President made this call yesterday, Tuesday, at Bangabhaban, during a courtesy meeting with a 25 member delegation. Auxiliary Bishop Mr. Subroto Bonifas Gomes of the Dhaka Catholic Archdiocese led the delegation. Mr. Md. Sarwar Alam, Press Secretary to the President, gave this information. During the meeting, the delegation raised different issues of the Christian community with the President and asked for his support.
The President said Bangladesh is the country of all citizens, and everyone is equal here. He said it is very important to ensure that no citizen is deprived or discriminated against because of religious identity. He said the Christian community of the country has made important contributions for a long time in education, health and social service. He said educational institutions such as Holy Cross, St. Gregory’s, St. Joseph and Notre Dame play an important role in keeping the standard of higher education and in developing human resources.
The President called on the leaders of the community to be active in raising their reasonable problems properly. These problems include the running of institutions, land and property. He also assured them that he would play a role in solving these problems. He said everyone must work together to keep the long tradition of mutual sympathy and harmony among the people of Bangladesh. He also said that efforts must be taken to preserve the own language, culture and heritage of different communities.
The President said the doors of the President’s house of Bangladesh are always open to all citizens of the country. He asked the representatives of the Christian community to contact him about any reasonable problem or issue. Among others, the delegation included Ms. Anna Minz, senior vice chairman of the Christian Religious Welfare Trust and a member of parliament on a reserved women’s seat. Father Hemanta Rozario, CSC, principal of Notre Dame College, Father Charles, vice chancellor of Notre Dame University, and Sister Shikha Gomes, CSC, principal of Holy Cross College, were also present. So was Mr. John Gomes, an advocate and vice chairman of the Christian Religious Welfare Trust. The military secretary, the secretary and the press secretary to the President were also present.
President calls for upholding the standard of university education
President Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for upholding the standard of university education. He also directed those concerned to continue helping disadvantaged and left behind students. A delegation met the President for a courtesy call at Bangabhaban. It was led by Professor Mohammad Farashuddin, founding vice chancellor of East West University, former Chief Adviser and present chairperson of the board of trustees. The President made this call at that time.
During the meeting, Professor Farashuddin informed the President about the overall academic work of the university. He said about 16 thousand students study at the university now. He said the university continues to give scholarships to meritorious and financially poor students. At that time, the President called on the university to continue helping disadvantaged and left behind students and to uphold the standard of education at the university.
During the meeting, Professor Farashuddin formally invited the President to attend the coming convocation. The President accepted the invitation and assured that he would attend the programme. The military secretary, the secretary and the press secretary to the President were present at the meeting. The pro vice chancellor, the treasurer and the registrar of the university were also present.
