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Communal harmony in Bangladesh appreciable: US envoy
UNB, DHAKA
Sep 4, 2003

US Ambassador in Dhaka Harry K Thomas yesterday said people of various
faiths are living in Bangladesh maintaining communal harmony and
mutual respect.

"Bangladesh is a democratic country and its communal harmony is
appreciable," Thomas said when he met State Minister for Religious
Affairs Mosharef Hossain Shahjahan at the latter’s office.

During the meeting, they also discussed matters of mutual interests
and exchanged views on issues relating to bilateral cooperation.
Issues relating to training of religious leaders and imams also came
up for discussion.

They said exchange of views, inter-religion dialogues, discussions and
conferences among the devotees of various religions would be helpful
in establishing world peace and strengthening relation among various
religions. The US envoy assured of his country’s all possible
cooperation in this regard.

As the state minister mentioned about various government initiatives,
including imam training programme and mosque and temple-based informal
education programme, Thomas said these programmes would bring about
positive results for the people of Bangladesh.

Religious Affairs Secretary Syed Sajedul Karim was present at the
meeting, said a PID handout.(UNB)