Bangladesh Government Requests Pause in Durga Puja Activities During Azaan and Namaz
Bangladesh Government Requests Pause in Durga Puja Activities During Azaan and Namaz in 2024
The interim government of Bangladesh has urged the Hindu community to temporarily halt Durga Puja-related activities, specifically the playing of musical instruments, five minutes before the Islamic call to prayer (Azaan) and during Namaz. This request was made by Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury ahead of Durga Puja, the largest Hindu festival in the country.
Chowdhury highlighted the importance of respecting religious practices, stating, “All activities must cease during the offering of Namaz, and the pause should begin five minutes before Azaan.” He confirmed that puja committees across the nation have agreed to comply, ensuring that musical instruments and sound systems will be switched off during these times.
Record Number of Puja Mandaps in 2024
A total of 32,666 puja mandaps (pandals) will be set up across Bangladesh this year, with 157 in Dhaka South City and 88 in Dhaka North City. Although the number of mandaps last year was 33,431, the Home Affairs Adviser mentioned that this year’s count is expected to exceed that figure, according to the Puja Celebration Parishad.
To ensure a smooth and secure celebration, Chowdhury stated, “We’ve discussed round-the-clock security measures for the puja mandaps,” adding that steps will be taken to prevent any disruptive activities by miscreants. He reassured the public that the government is fully committed to facilitating the Durga Puja festivities without interference.
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Call for Communal Harmony
In a televised speech on Wednesday evening, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus emphasized the importance of maintaining communal harmony. “We are a nation built on communal harmony. No one should engage in actions that disrupt religious unity,” Yunus said.
He further stressed the government’s commitment to upholding law and order, warning that anyone who creates chaos or takes the law into their own hands will face legal consequences. “Our goal is to build a democratic Bangladesh where dictatorship has no place,” Yunus added, calling on citizens to respect peace and tolerance across all religious communities.
As Bangladesh prepares for Durga Puja, these measures reflect the government’s focus on fostering mutual respect and ensuring that different religious practices coexist harmoniously in the country.
