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the occasion of Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Bangalee Hindu community, which begins today.

Noting that Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony, he said, “This country belongs to all of us. This country is a safe abode for all people irrespective of caste and religion.”

“Regardless of race, religion, and caste, we are all identified as Bangladeshis. I hope that this year’s Durga Puja will be celebrated smoothly across the country, upholding this trend of communal harmony,” he added.

“In addition to practising our own religions, we must create an environment of peace in society by maintaining mutual respect, honour and compassion among people,” said Prof Yunus.

Meanwhile, last-minute preparations were afoot yesterday for the annual festival at temples and makeshift puja mandaps across the country.

The festival is set to begin today with the unveiling of the face of the deity on the day of Maha Shashthi, and will come to an end with the immersion of the idols on Bijoya Dashami on October 2.

Basudeb Dhar, president of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, said the number of puja mandaps across the country has increased this year.

Durga Puja will be celebrated in a total of 33,355 mandaps and temples nationwide, with 258 in Dhaka city.

The government has allocated Tk 5 crore for Durga Puja this year.

To ensure the safety and security of the devotees, law enforcement agencies will be deployed at puja pandals.