Dhaka Bureau: Secularism is the main driving force of our nation and Paola Boishakh festival is a symbol of secularism. Foreign Minister and Joint General Secretary of Awami League said in the speech of the chief guest at the ‘Baishakhi Utsav 1431’ program organized jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Office Spouses Association at the Foreign Service Academy on Bailey Road in the capital on Friday (May 10) evening. Hasan Mahmud said this.
The foreign minister said, ‘Bangladesh was born in 1971 through the Great War of Liberation after breaking the then communal state system of Pakistan with the aim of building a non-communal state under the leadership of Bangabandhu, the father of the nation. And under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the festival of Pahela Baishakh, which became a universal festival regardless of caste and religion, is today the embodiment of our secularism.
Dr. Hashan Mahmud said, ‘Awami League, which led the war of independence, believes that our first identity is that we are Bengalis, and the second identity is who we are and what religion we belong to. And Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina’s mantra – Religion belongs to everyone, festival is for everyone. That is why today in Bangladesh people of all religions unite in Eid, Puja, Prabarana Purnima festivals.
Responding to a question regarding US President Joe Biden’s nomination of David Slayton Mill as the new US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Minister Hasan Mahmood welcomed the nomination. He expressed hope that the new ambassador will take the cooperation of the United States with Bangladesh further.
At this time recently in the White House briefing Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that human rights in our country are better than many countries. Human rights are not in ideal position in any country of the world.
“In the United States, we see on TV screens how the police are suppressing the student movement in favor of the Palestinians. We are also seeing how the police are suppressing civil movements on behalf of Palestinians in various European countries.
The foreign minister said that all countries should work together for the development of human rights, we also want to work for the development of human rights with our development partners.
President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs. AK Abdul Momen and Foreign Secretary Masood Bin Momen spoke on the occasion. Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shahriar Alam, ambassadors, high commissioners and members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Office Spouses Association (FOSA) attended the event and enjoyed the interesting cultural performance of FOSA artists.
