It will play a role in creating public opinion

Pope Francis, chief religious leader of the Roman Catholic community, came to Bangladesh on a three-day tour. He promotes peace and solidarity among the all people. This is the first tour of any major religious group of the Christian community in Bangladesh after three decades of Pope II John Paul’s visit. The Pope's visit was quite important. More than six lakh Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh in three months due to ethnic cleansing in Myanmar's Rakhine state. During this crisis, Pope Francis visited Bangladesh.

On the first day of his visit, at a gathering at Bangabhaban, he said, “The international community must take important decisions to resolve the difficult crisis. It is not only important to resolve the political issues, but also it is needed to provide humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh. He urged the world leaders to stand beside Bangladesh to face this crisis. We believe that his speech will play a role in creating international opinion to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

The world community also kept eye on the Pope's visit to Bangladesh. Pope Francis also visited Myanmar before coming to Bangladesh. There was a criticism that he did not pronounce the name of Rohingya people. But on the second day of his visit to Dhaka, he heard about the plight of 16 Rohingya families and could not restrain himself. Emotionally, he pronounced the word "Rohingya" and apologized to everyone.

'Pope Francis' speech praised Bangladesh. Pope appreciated the co-existence of people of different religions in Bangladesh. He said, "Bangladesh is a clear example of inter-religion and harmony." Pope said that the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman understood the matter and included the ideology in the constitution. He dreamed of a modern, multicultural and participative society, where every man can live freely in peace and security.

He has realized that inhuman conditions have been created and Bangladesh has been experiencing huge problems as huge Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh. During the visit to Dhaka, Pope Francis said that he found the presence of God among the oppressed Rohingya people. In fact, Pope meant that there is no discrimination between people as the best of creation. All people have the right to live peacefully. Now the Pope's valuable message has to be delivered to the world community. We believe that Pope's message of peace will play a vital role in creating public opinion in the international arena.





risingbd / Dhaka / Dec 6, 2017 / Ali Nowsher/Mukul