Strengthen glorious tradition of communal harmony: President

President M Abdul Hamid today called upon all to play an effective role from their respective position in strengthening the glorious tradition of communal harmony across the country.

"People of all religions here are tied with mutual love and harmony... All have to play an effective role to strengthen our glorious tradition of harmony", he said while exchanging of greetings with members of the Christian community on the occasion of Christmas Day at Bangabhaban here today.

Noting that the country has a long illustrious communal harmony, the President categorically urged all to work together for building a happy, prosperous and non-communal Bangladesh.

Abdul Hamid said Christmas is being celebrated in Bangladesh this year amid more joyously and festivity as Pope Francis, the leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics, visited here November last and he (Pope) exchanged views with the people of the country.

"His (Pope) official visit to Bangladesh would help uphold the image of communal harmony prevailing here", the President hoped.

Referring to the plight of displaced Rohingyas, he said Bangladesh has shown an instance of humanitarian act across the globe through sheltering the Rohingyas, who fled to Bangladesh from their Myanmar's Rakhine state homeland being the worst victims of military atrocities.

Abdul Hamid greeted the people of Christian community on the occasion.

Terming Jesus Christ as an ambassador of emancipation and beacon, he said Jesus Christ had preached the sermons of peace in the world as his philosophy was to establish a peaceful society with full of love, services, forgiveness, compassion and justice.

He said the Jesus Christ gave importance to the unity, sacrifice, self-restraint and charity than that of comfort of the worldly life.

"I think the teachings and ideals of Jesus Christ are very rational to establish peace, harmony and unity in nation-to-nation of this problematic world", the President added.

President Hamid and Rashida Khanam hosted the reception at the President Palace where a Christmas trees were set up with candles lit.

Cardinal of Bangladesh Patrick D'Rozario, ambassadors and representatives from different foreign missions, distinguished persons of the Christian community, religious leaders and professionals joined the reception.

A group of singers performed the Christmas carol at the reception. Later, President Hamid cut a Christmas cake with members of the Christian community.