‘Sculptures and idols not the same’ newly appointed state minister for religious affair says

Newly appointed State Minister for Religious affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan today said sculpture and idol were different and there were sculptures in almost all countries.

He also urged people to be tolerant and resolve the ongoing crisis through discussion.

Those who are opposing the sculptures of Bangabandhu lack understanding of the issue, the junior minister told reporters after a meeting with ministry officials.

Many countries have pictures on coins and Bangladesh has pictures of Bangabandhu on our money, Faridul said.

Religion-based organisations, including Hefajat-e-Islam, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, have been demanding that the government cancels its plan to set put a sculpture of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the capital.

Different ministers have been arguing that Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran have sculptures.

Faridul in a statement said, "We all know more or less that there are some bad people in every community who want to ruin the beautiful atmosphere of communal harmony for their petty interests.

"But the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been able to create a beautiful atmosphere of communal harmony in the country by cracking down on those circles.

"Secularism is one of the principles in our constitution. Bearing the spirit of secularism, the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working tirelessly to ensure the equal rights of [people of] all religions."

He also said people of all communities of this country have been living in communal harmony for a long time.

"We will continue to work relentlessly with utmost sincerity on behalf of the Ministry of Religious Affairs to build a moral, non-communal Bangladesh under the dynamic and strong leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina."