(BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called for a collective pledge by people of all faiths to build their desired Bangladesh together, saying his government wants to build the country with people of all faiths.

“This country belongs to all of us. From today, let us pledge to work together to build Bangladesh we aspire to, regardless of whether we are Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists or Christians. Let this be our aspiration today,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the call while addressing thousands of people gathered along the roadside at Paglapir in Rangpur on his way from Saidpur to Rangpur to visit a Durga Puja mandap on the occasion of Maha Navami.

Recalling the unity among people of all faiths during the Liberation War, Tarique Rahman said he wanted to build the country by bringing people of every religion together.

“We want to build this country with people of all faiths. Are you with me?” he asked the gathering.

The Prime Minister said the people had entrusted the BNP with the responsibility of running the country following the election held on February 12 this year, and that his government had been working to stand beside working people since assuming office.

As part of these efforts, he said, the government had waived agricultural loans of up to Taka 10,000 for farmers, introduced Family Cards and launched the Farmer Card programme.

He also said monthly allowances had been arranged for imams, muezzins and religious leaders of other faiths.

The government has been trying to stand beside people from all walks of life, particularly working people, he added.

Earlier, the Prime Minister departed Tejgaon Airport in Dhaka at 9:00am for Saidpur by a military aircraft and arrived at Saidpur Airport in Nilphamari at 9:50am.
He was received at the airport by Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Water Resources Farhad Hossain Azad, Rangpur City Corporation Administrator Advocate Mahfuz-Un-Nabi Chowdhury Don and Rangpur Development Authority Chairman Shamsuzzaman Samu, among others.

In Rangpur, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit the puja mandap at Radha Gobinda Temple and exchange greetings with devotees.

He will then travel to Rajshahi to visit the puja mandap at Dharmasabha Temple before attending a public gathering at the playground of Haji Muhammad Mohsin Government High School.

Later, he will visit the puja mandap at JM Sen Hall in Rahmatganj, Chattogram, before returning to Dhaka tonight.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rehan Asif Asad, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Bijon Kanti Sarker and BNP Special Secretary Belayet Hossain Mridha, among others.

Earlier, the Prime Minister visited puja mandaps in Dhaka’s Mohakhali and Banani areas, accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman.

Maha Navami, the ninth day of the Sharadiya Durga Puja festival, falls today. The festivities will conclude tomorrow with the immersion of idols.