Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said I want there to be peace in our country. We will only develop if there is peace. Everyone will benefit from development.
She said this at the thanksgiving rally organised at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan on Sunday to hail the government for giving the Dawra-e-Hadith (Taqmil) of Qawmi Madrasas the status of master’s degree.
The prime minister warned of harsh action against offensive speech regarding religion.
Our religion is Islam. Anyone who makes (offensive) remarks against it or Prophet Muhammad (SM) will be tried under the law, she said.
She also said, whenever I visit an international conference and hear the term ‘Islamic terrorism’ I object. I tell them that they cannot say that because not everyone believes in terrorism.
The rally by the Al-Haiatul Ulya Lil-Jamiatil Qawmia Bangladesh, the organisation representing the six Qawmi education boards in the country, was led by the organisation’s chairman, Hefazat Islam Amir Shah Ahmad Shafi. Sheikh Hasina was the chief guest.
Shafi presented her with a letter of thanks after her speech.
Maulana Mufti Ruhul Amin, a member of the organisation, dubbed Sheikh Hasina ‘the Mother of Qawmi’ at the event.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Minister of Industries Amir Hossain Amu, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan also attended the event.