Be vocal against killing in name of Islam: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called upon the nation to be vocal against the culprits defaming Islam before the whole world through killing innocent people.

“I urge the entire nation to be vocal against those who are undermining our holy religion after getting derailed from the right path,” she said.

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The PM made the plea while inaugurating the hajj programme at Haji Camp in the city's Ashkona.

Hasina said she always wants to keep unharmed the dignity and honour of Islam. “It's my desire that our religion would always hold its place as the best religion of the world.... I request all, including fathers, mothers and teachers, to remain alert so that no youth could be derailed.”

Islam, she said, is the religion of peace and there is no place for militancy and terrorism in it. “I feel pain and sorrow when I see some derailed men killing innocent people in cold blood.... Are they doing anything good for Islam? Instead, they are undermining it before others.”

The premier said the religion which always teaches about peace, tolerance and rights of other religions is facing a disgraceful situation for some derailed people.

Hasina reiterated her firm stance of not allowing any terrorist and militant activities on the country's soil.

She said the government gave special attention to security of hajj pilgrims. Besides, the government was very much aware of those overstaying in Saudi Arabia after going there on hajj visa.

Chaired by Religious Affairs Minister Motiur Rahman, the programme was addressed, among others, by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon.

Some 1,01,758 Bangladeshis are expected to perform Hajj this year. The hajj flights will be operated from Dhaka to Jeddah from August 4 to September 5.

The state-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines is expected to carry half of the pilgrims while Saudi Arabian Airlines would ferry the rest.

The return hajj flights would start on September 17 and continue till October 15.

A 292-member Bangladesh hajj team, composed of physicians, pharmacists, nurses/brothers and assistants, would go to Saudi Arabia to provide healthcare services to pilgrims.