Dhakaites mourn fallen Parisians

Residents of Dhaka yesterday expressed solidarity with Paris following militant attacks on the French capital on Friday.

"Last night at a concert in Paris, terrorists stormed the theatre and killed scores of people in a heinous act of terror. We express our strongest condemnation of such an atrocious act," said Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, addressing the concluding ceremony of the Dhaka International Folk Festival 2015 in the capital's army stadium.

A band, Indian Ocean, dedicated their song "Arey Rukh Ja Re Bandey", a song on religious division, to the victims of the Paris attacks.

Meanwhile, diplomats, politicians, rights activists and representatives of NGOs and civil society at another programme observed a one-minute silence to show respect for those who died in the attacks.  

They urged all to unite and build awareness to resist violence and terrorism in Bangladesh.

The programme "Peace Ambassadors National Convention-2015" was organised by Hunger Project-Bangladesh at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the capital.

Jatiya Party Presidium Member GM Quader said violence occurs when society becomes destabilised due to political dispute.

A healthy political and democratic culture can be established, but only when good governance is ensured. Similarly, good governance will be established only when accountability in every sector can be ensured, he viewed.

Hunger Project-Bangladesh with assistance of USAID, UKAID and International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) launched a project "People Against Violence in Elections (PAVE)" in March this year to raise awareness against political violence, particularly during election period.

Under the project, grassroots level politicians and community leaders have been appointed as "peace ambassadors" to build awareness through discussions, public conventions and other programmes.

Currently, a total of 83 "peace ambassadors" are working in 28 upazilas under 18 districts.   

Addressing the peace ambassadors at the function, US Ambassador Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat said, "The issue of violence in elections will not be solved overnight. But you, as ambassadors of peace, can be a positive example for your communities by first imagining a future without election violence and then working to realise that dream."

"It is challenging to tackle some of the issues you face in your communities. Do not be afraid to try a different approach. Working with your community on building a positive environment for dispute resolution will require sustained dedication," she said.  

The Hunger Project-Bangladesh Country Directory Badiul Alam Majumdar urged all to join hands for resisting violence and demanded stern action against perpetrators.

The peace ambassadors, representatives of different organisations and civil society members, among others, were present.