Muslim countries' united work could reduce misery of Palestinians: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said united work of Muslim countries could bring better and dignified position for the Muslim community in the world along with reducing misery of the Palestinians as she opened the Hajj Programme-2024.

"Today, if all the Muslim countries worked together making an alliance, it would have been easier to attain better position for the Muslims including reducing misery of the Palestinians," she said.

The premier inaugurated the Hajj programme at a function at the Hajj Camp in city's Ashkuna area as the chief guest, report's BSS .

"We could have further advanced if Muslim countries of the world worked unitedly," she said as she mentioned herself "the only sister" (head of government) among the OIC member countries.

Sheikh Hasina said, "I told them (head of states and governments) that I am the only sister. I am asking everyone to reach a consensus and speak up so this kind of unfair injustice doesn't happen to us again."

Highlighting the miseries of the Muslims in Palestine, she said genocide is being carried out there where no children, women or men were spared.

"But, I am protesting it wherever I get a chance....Palestine will get more land in Gaza. It is their right. No one can take away this right. So, that right should be given to them," she said.

Describing Islam as a religion of peace, Sheikh Hasina called for not doing anything that goes against the religious sentiment.

"No one should do anything - like engaging in alcohol addiction, gambling, corruption, terrorism and militancy -- that hurts our religious sentiment," she said.

She also said Islam is a sacred religion that ensured the rights of the people of all classes.

"It is very unfortunate that a quarter of people earn a bad name for Islam by militancy. I always protest it," she added.

Sheikh Hasina said the people of all religions would continuously enjoy equal rights to follow their respective religious rituals in the country.

She also asked the Hajj pilgrims to pray for Bangladesh and its people while performing the holy hajj, saying, "Pray for Bangladesh, pray for the people of Bangladesh, and also pray for the Muslim Ummah all over the world."

Referring to the implementation of e-Hajj management, the premier said, "We have made Digital Bangladesh. Our future goal is to build a 'smart Bangladesh'".

"After making Smart Bangladesh, no one have to suffer with anything. Just get on the plane and leave (for destination) by doing all the work at home. We are doing that kind of arrangement," she added.

Sheikh Hasina said they take measures to improve Hajj management every time and the Saudi government is always supporting to Bangladesh in this work.

She extended her thanks to the Saudi government, especially the king and the prime minister, because they have always solved the problems on Hajj.

The premier also exchanged greetings with the (Hajji) Hajj pilgrims after opening the Hajj programme.

The hajj flight carrying Bangladeshi pilgrims will start from Dhaka tomorrow.

The first hajj flight (BG-3301) is scheduled to leave Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 7:20am for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, carrying 419 pilgrims.