Bangladesh-Vatican relations will be strengthened further: CA

DHAKA, Bangladesh, June 10 (BSS)-Chief Adviser of Bangladesh caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed today said Bangladesh-Vatican relations will be strengthened further as Bangladesh is a land of religious harmony with people respecting each other's faith. The Chief Adviser said this while newly appointed Holy See (Vatican) Ambassador to Bangladesh Monsignor Joseph Marino paid a courtesy call on him at the Chief Adviser's Office here. Congratulating the ambassador, Dr Fakhruddin said Bangladesh attaches much importance to its relations with the Holy See and hoped the existing warm ties will be flourished further in the days to come. Referring to prevailing religious harmony among different faiths, he said Bangladesh is committed to peace, stability, poverty alleviation and development in this region. Islam is a religion of peace and every religion wants to build a better world, Dr Fakhruddin said and added that Muslims, Christians and people of other faiths live peacefully as good neighbours in this country. He said the Christian missionaries are running a good number of schools and hospitals in the country in cooperation with the local people. Appreciating the diplomacy of Vatican in raising people to people contact, the Chief Adviser said many Bangladeshis are living in Rome and hoped the interactions with the Vatican will be deepen day by day. The Vatican ambassador appreciated the leadership of the Chief Adviser in achieving country's progress and said people of different religious faiths including the Christians are living peacefully here. Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim was present.