President Abdul Hamid on Sunday urged all irrespective of party affiliation, opinion and religious belief to play a proper role in the national development upholding communal harmony and tradition.
"Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony . . . All people perform their respective religions and rituals freely here," he said while exchanging greetings with the Buddhist community at Bangabhaban in the city on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhists.
The President hoped that the Buddhist community would continue to put their efforts for country`s overall development upholding the traditional norms and containing the immortal ideology of Lord Buddha.
The message of Gautama Buddha - `Non-Violence is the Ultimate Religion` - is still applicable to the society, he said.
"I do believe, the ideology of Buddha can play a very significant role to establish humanity and peace in this restive and intolerant world," Abdul Hamid observed.
Noting that religion is a belief of the people, he said the main message of all religions is the welfare of mankind.
Religious Affairs Minister Principal Matiur Rahman, Buddhist religious leaders including Suddhananda Mahathero, Satyapriyo Mohathero, former minister Dilip Barua, Bangladesh chapter president of World Buddhists Federation Prof Dr Sukomol Barua, vice-president of Bangladesh Buddhist Kristi Prochar Sangha PR Barua, ambassadors and high commissioners of different Buddhist countries, representatives of various international organisations and professionals of Buddhist community attended the reception.
Secretaries concerned to the President`s Office were present on the occasion.
President Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanam welcomed the guests and exchanged greetings with them.
Earlier, the Buddhist religious leaders greeted President Hamid by presenting a bouquet to him, reports BSS.
