On the occasion of Christmas, the Chief Advisor of the interim government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, exchanged greetings with representatives of the Christian community. The event took place on Tuesday, December 24, at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka, as reported by BSS.

During the event, Dr. Yunus expressed his happiness at meeting the Christian leaders and emphasized the importance of unity and religious harmony. He noted that terms like "minority" and "majority" should not define the people of Bangladesh, as everyone belongs to one family. He called for collective efforts to realize the dream of a unified, peaceful, and harmonious Bangladesh.

The gathering was moderated by Religious Affairs Advisor Dr. A. F. M. Khalid Hossain. Prominent leaders of the Christian community who addressed the event included Archbishop Bijoy N. D'Cruze, the head of Catholic Christians in Bangladesh; Bishop Philip P. Adhikary, President of the National Christian Fellowship of Bangladesh; Nirmal Rozario, President of the Bangladesh Christian Association; Ignacio Hemanto Koraiya, Secretary-General of the Bangladesh Christian Association; and Daniel Nirmal D'Costa, President of the Bangladesh Christian Alliance.

The Christian leaders expressed optimism about Bangladesh's progress under Dr. Yunus's leadership. They pledged their full support to fostering communal harmony and underscored the significance of the Chief Advisor's role in guiding the nation towards tolerance and inclusivity.

Archbishop Bijoy N. D'Cruze highlighted the teachings of Jesus Christ, emphasizing peace, compassion, and forgiveness. Referring to the recent socio-political changes in Bangladesh, he remarked, "The student-led mass uprisings have opened new doors of opportunity for the nation. Professor Yunus has undertaken the formidable task of leading the country. You are a wise, honest, and trustworthy individual. Under your leadership, we hope to see a democratic, secular, and harmonious Bangladesh where love, empathy, humanity, and brotherhood flourish. This is our Christmas prayer. The Christian community stands firmly by your side."

The leaders also expressed their gratitude to the interim government for providing a financial grant of 25 million BDT to the Christian Religious Welfare Trust. They noted that the funds had been distributed across churches nationwide to support the community.

As a token of appreciation, the Christian leaders presented a Bible to the Chief Advisor.

Dr. Yunus, in his address, reiterated the importance of prioritizing human identity over religious divisions. He stated, "We are all humans first, and our humanity binds us together. Every religion carries a message of peace, and that peace must be instilled within ourselves. When we embrace the essence of our faith, we will find harmony with other religions, eliminating divisions. This will create a brighter future for our children."

The event was also attended by several other advisors, including Law Advisor Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul, Industry Advisor Adilur Rahman Khan, and Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan.