Bangladesh is not alone in fighting terrorism: HPM Sheikh Hasina

Speaking at a meeting of her Awami League party on Saturday, she said many had feared the recent terror attacks would destroy Bangladesh’s image.

“But I can at least say that heads of governments and states of almost all the countries across the globe, even Queen Elizabeth and the Duke sent me messages and letters,” she said.

“They have condemned the attacks and praised us for suppressing the terrorists within a short period,” Hasina said.

The prime minister said Bangladesh set an example in tackling terror attacks.

She said the heads of governments and states also pledged support in the fight against terrorism.

“I want the people to know through you (Awami League leaders) that we are not alone, the entire world is with us in the battle against terrorism,” she said.

She urged the Awami Leagues leaders and workers to forge unity with people of all classes and professions against militancy saying people's resistance can eliminate the militancy and terrorism from the country.

"Militants and terrorists would be washed out when people would build up resistance against them as like people got rid of arson attacks and vandalism sponsored by BNP-Jamaat following public resistance," she said.

The prime minister said this in her inaugural speech in the Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) meeting at her official residence Gonobhaban here this evening.

The prime minister, also president of Awami League, said Awami League leaders and workers have to play important role to eliminate terrorism and militancy in collaboration with common people.

"I firmly believe that this darkness would end and we would surely see light," she said urging everybody to extend cooperation to the government to wipe out the root of terrorism and militancy.

Urging the party leaders to form committees against terrorism in all villages, upazilas and districts involving people of every class and profession, the prime minister said the patrons of terrorism should be identified and they must be punishment.

The prime minister called upon youths and students to learn about the true teaching and spirit of Islam and said killing in the name of Islam was creating obstacles for those who piously and truly observe the principles of Islam.

"The activities of zealots are creating hatred in the minds of people about Islam and they were really causing damage to Islam," the prime minister said, adding, "Islam never teaches people to kill others in a brutal manner."

Sheikh Hasina urged the people in general and particularly guardians and teachers to take care of their children and student to restrain them from being radicalised. She also urged journalists to expose the patrons of terror activities.

The prime minister said the perpetrators of the terror attacks wanted to tarnish the image of country in the long term. But, the whole world came up with heavy condemnation against the cowardly attack and they are now with us in combating terrorism.

"The world community is also happy with our ability to combat terrorism and militancy as we could tackle the two assaults very efficiently and timely," the prime minister said.

General secretary of the party Syed Ashraful Islam also spoke on the occasion while presidium members, secretaries in charge of various portfolios and central committee members were present.

At the beginning of her speech, the prime minister paid tributes to country's first prime minister and one of the four national leaders -- Tajuddin Ahmed -- marking his 91st birth anniversary on Saturday.

She also paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, three other national leaders and martyrs of the Liberation War.

Photo: Focus Bangla