Those who are killing in the name of Islam, are defaming the religion: HPM Sheikh Hasina

"I cannot understand in any way why they are killing human beings in the name of religion and what good things they are doing to Islam through this. I think by doing this they are defaming Islam, making the holy religion questionable," she said.

Through perpetrating such cowardly acts, she said, it's regretful that they are actually causing total damage to Islam.

The premier said this while receiving cheques for donation for the flood-hit people of the country at her official Ganobhaban residence here on Tuesday afternoon.

"Problems will come and we will have to solve those ... we must solve the problems. We would encounter manmade disaster, Insha Allah, the way we are facing natural calamities," she said.

Seeking cooperation of all to tackle militancy and terrorism, Sheikh Hasina said her government is firm in its decision of not allowing militancy and terrorism on the soil of Bangladesh.

"So I want cooperation of all to tackle militancy and terrorism and everyone, wherever they are, will have to remain alert so that none can get engaged in the twin monsters," she said.

Talking about mass awareness against militancy and terrorism, the prime minister said her government has already created such awareness. "Even the rural people are now watchful against the twin devils," she said.

Pointing out the current flood in different parts of the country, the prime minister said her government is not sitting idle to tackle the flood, rather it is working tirelessly to reach relief materials like food, drinking water and medicines to the flood-affected people.

Besides, she said, eight teams have been formed by her party Awami League to help the flood affected people across the country.

Sheikh Hasina said it's true that flood brings sufferings for the rural poor, but it is also beneficial for the country as it makes land fertile through the silt after the flood.

Citing Bangladesh's success in tackling natural disasters, the premier said Bangladesh is now an example in this field to follow for the rest of the world.

Referring to the country's tremendous success in the socioeconomic front, Sheikh Hasina said the economy of the country is now more vibrant and stronger than any time of the past thanks to various pragmatic steps of her government.

In this connection, she mentioned the role of the private sector and said that it was her government that had opened the private sector in all the fields.

She said the present government wants to bring more dynamism in the economy for further development of the country.

She said there is a trend of prices of essentials going up during the monsoon. "But we have been able to keep the prices of essentials under control and bring down inflation rate during this period," she said.

Expressing her gratitude to the authorities concerned of the private organizations for coming forward to the help of flood-hit people with financial assistance, Sheikh Hasina said their money is utilised for the service of the flood-hit people.

"Besides, other people, who come to us for assistance, benefit from the donation as I believe in the policy that nobody returns from us empty-handed," she said.

Earlier, 31 banks under Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB), and Walton Group, Bashundhara Group, Ship Breakers Association, Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), Institution of Engineers Bangladesh, Guruduwara Management Committee handed the cheques for donation to the prime minister.

Prime Minister's Adviser HT Imam, noted businessman Salman F Rahman, ex-FBCCI president Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present, among others, while BAB President and Chairman of EXIM Bank Ltd Nazrul Islam Mazumdar conducted the function.