Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus exchanged Christmas greetings with representatives of the Christian community on Wednesday at the state guest house Jamuna.
Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain, Archbishop Bejoy N D’Cruze—the principal religious leader of Catholic Christians in Bangladesh—Bishop Philip P Adhikari, president of the National Christian Fellowship of Bangladesh, Dr Benedict Alo D’Rozario, trustee of the Christian Religious Welfare Trust, and Christopher Adhikari, president of the National Council of Churches in Bangladesh, along with other senior Christian leaders, were present.
In their remarks, Christian leaders referred to Yunus’s global reputation and his role in improving the country’s economy and overall situation. They expressed hope that the upcoming election would be held in a free and fair manner under his leadership.
Addressing the gathering, Archbishop Bejoy N D’Cruze described Jesus Christ as universal, saying that inspired by Christ’s ideals of forgiveness and service to humanity, millions of people worldwide, including in Bangladesh, are celebrating Christmas this year with enthusiasm.
Extending Christmas greetings to the chief adviser, Archbishop D’Cruze said that following the July mass uprising, people had placed their trust in Yunus to rebuild Bangladesh and that he was carrying out that responsibility with dedication. He expressed hope that Yunus’s efforts would succeed through a peaceful and orderly election.
Wishing those present a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, Yunus said religious leaders reflected the state of society, adding that they helped indicate whether things were on the right track.
He said the government aimed to build a healthy society and that the July Charter had been prepared to uphold the spirit of the mass uprising. Through a referendum on the charter, the country would move another step forward, he added.
Yunus said a referendum would be held alongside the parliamentary election, and that parliament would subsequently undertake reform measures in line with the public verdict.
He also called on religious leaders to help raise public awareness about the upcoming election and referendum.
At the event, leaders of the Christian Religious Welfare Trust thanked the interim government for providing a Tk 2.5 crore grant to the trust on the occasion of Christmas. They said the funds are being distributed in three phases among 800 churches across the country.
Later, Yunus cut a cake with representatives of the Christian community to mark Christmas.
