|
The visiting British State Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Office Kim Howells MP Tuesday said the people of all faiths should be united to combat terrorism to build a prosperous society, reports BSS.
He said a holy state could never be established through killing of innocent people. He said this in reference to different forms of extremism being practiced in various parts of the world.
The British minister said this while visiting the national mosque Baitul Mokarram Tuesday morning. Head of South Asia Desk Antony Stokes and British High Commissioner in Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury, among others, accompanied him.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Mosharef Hossain Shajahan received the British Minister at the Islamic Foundation attached to the mosque. Religious Affairs secretary Rafiqul Islam and director general of the Islamic Foundation Fazlur Rahman were present.
Howells said he has been impressed by visiting the mosque and was satisfied to know the progress of research and development activities being carried out by the Islamic Foundation.
"The national mosque Baitul Mokarram can play a vital role in motivating the people towards peace as responsible people preach the message of Islam here," he added. "In Britain there are also many mosques," Howells said, adding Islam is being practiced there peacefully by the Muslims and they are living in harmony with the followers of other faiths.
Mosharef said the Islamic Foundation has so far trained 55,000 Imams on different socio-development issues and steps have been taken to modernise the madrasha education.
Describing Islam as a religion of peace and harmony, he said those who are making conspiracy against peace in the name of religion would be destroyed as people are alert and united against them.
Anwar Choudhury said proper interpretation of Islam is necessary so that the vested quarter find no opportunity to misguide the people.
Earlier, the British minister visited the Alia Madrasha in the city and exchanged views with the madrasha authority.
|