Council for Interfaith Harmony formed

The organisation titled Council for Interfaith Harmony, Bangladesh (Cihb) includes members of civil society and religious leaders of Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Buddhists.

Former Secretary Shah Abdul Hannan and Moulana Abul Kalam Azad have been made chairman and secretary general of the 25-member committee of the organisation.

A four-member presidium of Cihbd was also formed with Shah Abdul Hannan, Professor Dr Paresh Chandra Mandal, Professor Dr Sukumar Barua and Dr Father D Rozano as its members.

The first ever council of the Cihbd will be held at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre (Bcfcc) on February 4.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is expected to inaugurate the convention as chief guest.

Other members of the Cihbd are: former director general of Islamic Foundation Syed Ashraf Ali, Vice-Chancellor of South-East University Professor Dr M Shamsher Ali, Professor UAB Razia Akhter Banu, Director of Bangladesh Buddhist Light Association Nirpoti Ranjan Barua, Finance Secretary of Bangladesh Buddhist Culture Publicity Organisation Pramoth Barua, Executive President of Bangladesh Buddhist Federation Dr Sukumal Barua, Retired Professor Dr Sunanda Barua, Srimath Kanti Bandhu Brahmachari of Jagabandhu Mohapraksh Math, Professor Madhabi Rani Chandra of Dhaka University, Dr Martic Hirak Chowdhury, General Secretary of Bangladesh Buddhist Memorial of Dhaka unit Swapan Barua Chowdhury, Principal of Notre Dame College Father Benzamin Costa, General Secretary of National Christian Fellowship RT Rev Denis Philip Datta, Dr Brijete Gomez, Rev Bibal Halkar, Nasima Hasan, Goutam Kumar Mitra, Moulana Mohammad Mukhlesur Rahman, Dr Pradip Kumar Roy, Father Dr Tapan D Rozario, Dr Dola Rani Sarker and Buddhanada Khoro.