President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday greeted all including the Buddhist community members on their biggest religious festival Buddha Purnima, celebrating the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, reports BSS.
President Abdul Hamid in a message said, “Due to the pandemic coronavirus outbreak worldwide, the Buddha Purnima is being celebrated in a different manner this year . . . I urge all of the Buddhist community to celebrate their festival staying at their respective homes.”
He said Gautam Buddha disseminated the message of equity and friendship throughout his entire life to establish peace and harmony across the globe.
Noting that Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony, President Hamid hoped that the country’s Buddhist community would play a proper role in the development of Bangladesh upholding the ideals of Buddha.
On the other hand, in a messages, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Gautam Buddha had preached the messages of non-violence, friendship and compassion throughout his life for the peace and welfare of mankind.
Establishing an ideal society though peace and harmony was his only objective, the premier added.
Sheikh Hasina said all should follow the ideology and lessons of Buddha to prevent degradation of values and establish peace in the society.
Mentioning that Bangladesh is a land of communal harmony, she said people of all religions have long been practicing their respective religions here.
The prime minister said the Buddhist leaders have a significant role in maintaining the communal harmony in the country.
She said the whole world is now in a crisis due to coronavirus outbreak, while the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it as a pandemic.
Against the backdrop of coronavirus pandemic, Sheikh Hasina urged the Buddhist community to celebrate their largest religious festival avoiding mass gatherings.