President visits rebuilt Buddhist temples in Ramu

DHAKA, Mar 10, 2014 (BSS)- President Abdul Hamid today visited several rebuilt Buddhist temples and centers at Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar district. 

During the visit, the President enquired about the wellbeing of local Buddhist community and distributed cheques to the affected members of the community, President’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told BSS here.

At first, the President visited U-maungrhee Bihar where four temples have been rebuilt. After that, the President went to Ramu Kendriyo Sima Bihar and distributed cheques to the affected families. Finally, the President visited Ramu Bimukti Bidarshan Bhavana Kendra.

President Abdul Hamid expressed his satisfaction over seeing the rebuilt Buddhist temples and rehabilitation of the affected Buddhists community. 

After visiting the Buddhist temples, President Abdul Hamid returned Dhaka by a helicopter this afternoon ending his two-day visit to Cox’s Bazar district. 

A large number of people from all walks of life, gathered beside the roads in Ramu to have a glimpse of the President. 

On September 29 and 30 in 2012, fanatics vandalized and torched Buddhist temples and houses in Ramu and Ukhia upazials of Cox’s Bazar following a fake Facebook post that demeaned the holy Quran. 

Some 12 temples and Bihars in Ramu and seven in Ukhia were damaged on that day following the instigation of some fanatics and miscreants. 

After the disgraceful incidents, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 
directed Bangladesh Army to rebuilt these temples and Bihars under a project, titled ‘Rebuilding and Renovation of damaged Buddhist Bihars and Temples’, spending Tk 20 crore.

The Bangladesh Army rebuilt and renovated these Buddhist temples and Bihars in 19 separate places incorporating the traditional designs of the renowned architects from the Buddhist community.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated 12 Buddhist temples and Bihars, including Ramu Bimukti Bidarshan Bhavana Kendra, Ramu Kendriyo Sima Bihar and Ramu Moitree Bihar on September 3 in 
2013.

Source: http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=395089&date=2014-03-10