By Farzana Tamannur (TON Bangladesh) 

Bangladesh is a magnificent example of religious liberty and communal harmony; wherever people of all religions have lived in peace for ages. Bangladesh has been appreciated as a country of communal harmony for several years, irrespective of religion, caste, tribe otherwise community. A bond of association has established among all.

Everybody, regardless of religion or creed, jumped into the war of freedom of '71 for the liberation of the country plus shed fresh blood. The Muslims of this country have given shelter to the Hindus in danger as well as saved their lives. This was because the pre-1971 Constitution of Pakistan the protection of minorities was guaranteed. In this country Eid and Puja are celebrated side by side. These two carnivals have now become common festivals. Everybody who has come from overseas has praised our communal accord. Such examples are rare in the world. Although unpleasant, the troublemakers have attacked and destroyed the houses of minorities in diverse parts of the country. There have moreover been events of deaths. Hindu community places of worship have been attacked. Attacks on minorities are not novel in this country. Extremists are attacking them on small excuses, burning houses.

Bangladesh is home to 16 crore people who are multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-lingual. The Constitution of Bangladesh assurances all citizens the liberty to practice their selected religion freely and serenely. It is projected that religious minorities establish about 12 percent of the present population of Bangladesh. Hindus make up less than 10 percent of the population, Christians 0.5 percent Buddhists 1 percent, and ethnic minorities less than 1 percent. 

Dr. Avantika writes in her article that Bangladesh is a genuine example of how people of diverse religions can live together plus cooperate. Bangladesh is a country wherever religious liberty, harmony and acceptance are valued. The population of Bangladesh is made up of diverse sets of religious groups plus ethnic groups. Such communities and groups live in accord. They learn to put aside their differences and hold and respect the various culture that has contributed to Bangladesh's equality.

She wrote that Bangladesh stands as a shining model of unbroken social as well as religious peace. This country is an example of social harmony because of its rich culture of tolerance and respect among all, regardless of their views and approaches. Their generous attitude has contributed to the unity of the nation.

The Sheikh Hasina government has stuck up for the minority community plus assisted in the recovery of property lost in front of the famed Dhakeswari Temple in Dhaka. Bangladesh is also building a Buddhist sanctuary in Lumbini, Nepal to serve Buddhist pilgrims from around the world.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's management manages all mosques, churches, temples, pagodas and gurdwaras in Bangladesh over the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Can anybody imagine a Muslim country building a Buddhist monastery in Nepal (religiously Hindu country)? This lately built monastery has set a clear example for all countries of the world that Bangladesh is a role model for the world in communal accord. The Bangladesh government is keen to maintain Bangladesh as a non-communal Bangladesh.

For instance, according to media reports, two people of diverse religions in the Khulna division of Bangladesh - a Hindu and a Muslim - have set a model of communal harmony by empathizing with each other's religions. In Bagerhat district, a Hindu has donated assets for the construction of a mosque plus nine Muslim leaders of the local Awami League have donated a share of their land for use as a crematorium.

Bangladesh is a land of diversity and equality. Constitutionally secular, it is varied in terms of religion, ethnicity plus language of its citizens. Despite that, communal harmony does prevail in every phase of our country. There are persons from diverse religions and groups which constitute the 160 million inhabitants of Bangladesh. Muslims being the biggest with over 90 percent of the entire population, here also live the Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and also some people from other beliefs.
Fundamental difference exists in terms of culture and language but that does not obstruct serene cohabitation. The tribal people of Chittagong Hill Tracts living together with millions of Bengali settlers from the plains are the utmost example of peace, harmony, mutual respect and equality.

Difference exists amongst the Muslims also as 3 percent of the Muslims are Shias while maximum of the others are Sunnis. In the Islamic world, there lies a great clash between the Shias and the Sunnis because of their varied beliefs and ceremonies. Wars are being fought over these matters. But in Bangladesh, however the Sunnis are enormously larger in number, the Shias do not face any suffering or oppression from them. Reasonably, they perform their rituals without any fright having huge support from the Sunnis. We really never bother to know if a Muslim is Shia or Sunni. Even our religious leaders never utter any concern over these variances and that is a great example of communal accord that prevails in our beloved motherland.

We must note that, it appears we are always more kind to the people from other religion, ethnicity or else features. It is our custom that, we are more inquisitive to help or know about the persons who belong to a diverse group. The friendship is very resilient among representatives of diverse communities and that is an amazing feature of Bangladesh.

For all these causes, Bangladesh can be considered as a world champ and a role model of communal accord. People have been living here for a long time with assurance in inter-communal harmony without compromising their religious traditions The world knows and appreciates the inter-communal harmony of Bangladesh. Bangladeshis stand by the principle of 'religion is one's own, but festivals are for everybody'; everyone has equal respect for all religions.