Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday sought cooperation from all, irrespective of religions, casts and creeds, in making Bangladesh a more prosperous country.

‘This is our country, this country is for the people of all religions, casts and creeds…we want to make the country more developed and prosperous.  I want cooperation from all of you,’ she said.

The Prime Minister came up with the remarks while exchanging greetings with the Christian community members at the green lawn of Ganobhaban, marking the Christmas Day to be celebrated on December 25, reports the UNB.

She said Bangladesh is a country of non-communal spirit and it belongs to all as people from all casts and creeds and religions fought to liberate it in 1971. ‘That’s why all can independently perform the rituals of their respective religions.’

 ‘Religion is for individuals while festivals for all,’ said the Prime Minister adding that the government ensured the equal rights of all religious communities to celebrate various religious and national day programmes.

‘We all participate in any festival, we want to maintain this spirit to be upheld in the future,’ she said.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s stunning advancement in all socio-economic fronts, she said no one dares now to neglect Bangladesh and all in every corner of the world treat the country with respect.

Hasina also pointed out the recent visit of Pope Francis to Bangladesh and said not only the Christian community but also the people of all regions and faiths were happy to see him visiting Dhaka.

The Prime Minister conveyed her thanks to Pope for his call to the international community to stand beside Bangladesh on Rohingya crisis.

She said the people irrespective of religions are also proud that country’s top religious leader of the Christian community Arch Bishop Patrick D’ Rozario is the first Bangalee to have been selected as Cardinal.

Hasina greeted members of the Christian community on the eve of Christmas Day and wished them a happy and prosperous life.

Speaking as special guest, Country’s top religious leader of the Christian community Arch Bishop Patrick D’ Rozario expressed the heartiest gratitude to Sheikh Hasina and her government for extending all-out assistance and support during the visit of Pope Francis to Bangladesh.

Patrick D’ Rozario also highly appreciated the security measures taken by the government at that time saying the Christian people from across the country came to Dhaka and returned home safely.

Awami League Central Working Committee member Vice Principal Remon Areng , Vice President of Bangladesh Christian Association Jewel Areng, MP, Secretary of Bangladesh Christian Association Nirmal Rozario and President of Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCS Markus Gomez also spoke on the occasion.

Later, the Prime Minister cut an X-Mass Day cake in presence of members of the Christian community.

Artistes of the Christian community sang a number of songs of Baro Din on the occasion.

Earlier at the beginning, a special prayer was held seeking blessings of the Lord Jesus for continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.