We congratulate the Hindu community for celebrating Durga Puja with all the fanfare it deserves, in peace and a festive manner. It is also heartening to see that the celebration was participated by the other communities as is the tradition. That the 10-day religious festival was observed without any major incident, excepting a few isolated ones, merely goes to reaffirm our society's acceptance of all religions in the land. Although credit is due to the authorities for maintaining law and order, the real thanks should go to the people, who have always stood up for harmony amongst the major faiths in Bangladesh and against reactionary elements bent on disrupting that harmony.

Durga Puja is not only the most significant festival for the Hindu community, it is also an event that brings together members of other faiths and a reflection of Bengali culture that signifies respect for motherhood and women. These are values that have deep roots in our traditions, and we believe that the festival has invoked kindred feelings among members of all faiths in an atmosphere of peace and joy and reaffirmed, once again, our unity in diversity.

Bangladesh may be a Muslim majority country, but it is also a pluralistic one. Although religion is an integral part of our existence, we are also a people who believe in peaceful coexistence of all faiths and cultures.  Harmony is a way of life for our people and we hope and pray that through such festivals, our faith in one another is reinforced, regardless of what creed we belong to.