Meeting with Religious Leaders: Real Facts Must Be Uncovered for Immediate Resolution, Says Chief Adviser

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus Seeks Religious Leaders' Input on Addressing Minority Issues

Interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has sought guidance from religious leaders on obtaining accurate and unrestricted information regarding challenges faced by the country's minorities.

"We need to uncover the real facts and establish a reliable process," Yunus said during a meeting on Thursday afternoon at the Foreign Service Academy. "In a country of this size, anything can happen, but it’s essential to have truthful information to ensure immediate solutions. Crimes must be addressed, and it is the government’s duty to hold perpetrators accountable."

The meeting, which began at 4:30 PM, included notable attendees such as Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs advisor Supradip Chakma, poet and thinker Farhad Mazhar, Hefazat-e-Islam secretary general Sajedur Rahman, and other prominent Islamic leaders like Muhiuddin Rabbani, Junaid Al Habib, and Mahfuzul Haque. Religious representatives from Hinduism, Christianity, and Buddhism also participated, including Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Abdul Malek and Islamic speaker Shaikh Ahmadullah.

Dr. Yunus emphasized the need for open and honest dialogue, stating, "Today’s discussion will be candid, and everyone here will contribute." He acknowledged reports of continued minority attacks and stressed the urgency of finding solutions.

Recalling his remarks upon assuming office, Yunus said, "We are one family. Despite our different opinions, religions, and customs, we are united as Bangladeshis. Oppression against minorities deeply pains me. My visit to Dhakeshwari Temple aimed to reaffirm the idea that we are all members of a single family."

Yunus highlighted the constitutional guarantee of equal rights for all citizens, urging the state to fulfill its obligation to protect these rights.

While dismissing foreign media reports of fresh communal violence in Bangladesh as unsubstantiated, Yunus reiterated the importance of verifying facts promptly. "Anything can happen in a large country, but accurate information enables solutions. It is the government’s responsibility to bring culprits to justice," he said.

The chief adviser sought recommendations from religious leaders on developing effective ways to collect accurate information on minority issues, emphasizing that their input was critical for ensuring justice and harmony.