Everybody who believes in peace should unite against terrorism : HPM Sheikh Hasina

"Everybody who believes in peace should unite against terrorism," she told a mammoth rally of Islamic religious leaders and scholars coinciding with the 42nd founding anniversary of Islamic Foundation at Suhrawardi Udyan on Thursday afternoon.

The premier added that Bangladesh would remain beside Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom took the initiative first to fight against the terrorism and violent extremism in the name of Islam.

"We will work together so that none can undermine our holy religion," she said adding that weapon producers' traders were eventual beneficiaries of the militancy at the cost of Muslim blood.

"It is very unfortunate that Muslims are being killed by Muslims. So I hope that the initiative of the Saudi King would help make all Muslim countries aware of the fact," she said.

Vice President of two holy mosques in Mokkah and Madina Dr Mohammad Bin Nasser Bin Mohammad Al Khuzaim and Imam and Preacher of the Prophet's Mosque Abdulmehsin bin Mohammad Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Qasim attended the rally as special guests.

Religious Affairs Matiur Rahman was chaired the rally joined by spiritual leaders, Imams, students and pious people from far flung areas of the countries while Islamic Foundation Director General Shameem Afzal gave the welcome address.

The Prime Minister said her government would not tolerate any ulterior design to undermine Islam and therefore it was ready to work together with others to eliminate the local and international roots of terrorism and militancy.

Sheikh Hasina said it's the duty of every Muslim all over the world to propagate the message of peace and work for peace while in Bangladesh her government was trying its best to educate people and train up the religious leaders towards that end.

Welcoming the vice president of the holy mosque in Mokkah and Madina Dr Khuzaim and Imam and Khatib of the Prophet's Mosque Rahman Al-Qasim the premier said their presence and inspirational speeches in the rally would stimulate the religious spirit of the people of Bangladesh.

"It will make easy our task to establish peace in the society," the premier said.

She thanked Saudi King for sending the two top religious figures to Bangladesh saying "Saudi Arabia is a true friend of Bangladesh and the two countries have a very strong relation".

She also recalled the warm hospitality she was extended by the Saudi King during her recent visit to Saudi Arabia.

The Prime Minister also conveyed her best wishes to all Imams and Olemas of the two holy mosques of Mecca and Madina on behalf of the people of Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu was the pioneer of promoting Islam in Bangladesh saying "Bangabandhu founded the Islamic Foundation for promotion of Islam and provide real education about the religion to the people".

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is a country with Muslim majority people.

But people of other religions are living in Bangladesh in peace and harmony which is the true spirit of the Islam. Referring to the speeches of Dr Khuzaim and Rahman Al-Qasim the Prime Minister said Islam is the religion of peace, fraternity and harmony, which never permit killing any people of own religion or other religion. Sheikh Hasina urged the Olema Mashayeks to reach the real message of Islam to the people saying a vested quarter were always out to portray Awami League as anti-Islam particularly after killing of Bangabandhu in 1975. She recalled Bangabandhu banned wine, gambling and horse race in the country after liberation to uphold the spirit of Islam.

But the subsequent governments withdrew the restriction, she said adding that Bangabandhu procured a dedicated ship Hizbul Bahar for carrying the hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia which Ziaur Rahman turned into a recreational vessel.

Bangabandhu also allocated land for world's second largest religious congregation Biswa Ijtema in Bangladesh, constituted the Madrasa Education Board and took steps for renovation of all mosques across the country.

"It's very unfortunate that vested quarters promoted all anti-Islamic activities in the country, harboured the militants and terrorists. But they portrayed Awami League as an anti-Islam party," the prime minister said. The Prime Minister highlighted the steps taken by her government for promotion of Islam and welfare of the religious leaders.

For the first time in the country, the Awami League government constituted trust fund to provide financial support to the Imams, Muazzins and other religious leaders for their welfare.

"The government has taken a decision to construct one central mosque and Islamic cultural center in every upazila," she said.

Vice President of two holy mosques in Mecca and Madina Dr Mohammad Bin Nasser Bin Mohammad Al Khuzaim thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for inviting him to Bangladesh and extending warm hospitality.

Dr Khuzaim said the Saudi government is making constant effort to uphold the dignity of Muslims across the world. In view of this an institution has already been established to expand Islamic cultural education across the world and correction of the people.

Terming the killing of innocent people a sin Islam Dr Khuzam said Islam never allowed a Muslim to kill another Muslim or innocent people of any other religion. According to Islam, it's the duty of a Muslim to protect the lives and property of the people of other religion in his country, he said

"The killers of innocent people can never belong to Islam," the vice president of the holy mosques said adding all Muslims across the world must stand against terrorism and militancy.

He praised Bangladesh's efforts in containing terrorism saying it was one of the countries to successfully spearheading the anti-militancy campaign.

Imam and Preacher of the Prophet's Mosque Abdulmehsin bin Mohammad Bin Abdul Rahman Al-Qasim hoped that their visit to Bangladesh would strengthen relation of his country with Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.