Desk Report:
Dr. Charles Reed, Foreign Policy Advisor to the Church of England, paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament, Barrister Kaiser Kamal. The meeting took place on Thursday (November 5, 2026) at the Deputy Speaker’s office in the National Parliament House.
Also present during the meeting were Shahnaz Karim, Governance Advisor, and Tahera Jabeen, Social Development Advisor, from the British High Commission; as well as Ruhi Naz, National Coordinator for the FoRB (Freedom of Religion or Belief) project, and Shashanka Baran Roy, Senior Program Manager.
During the discussion, Dr. Charles Reed and the delegation from the British High Commission noted that the support, security, and overall assistance provided by the current government during the recent Durga Puja celebrations in Bangladesh have been widely praised. The government’s sincere efforts and cooperation in ensuring that Durga Puja was celebrated in a peaceful and festive atmosphere deserve commendation. Such initiatives further strengthen communal harmony, mutual respect, and the environment for religious freedom in Bangladesh. They remarked that ensuring individuals of all faiths have the opportunity to freely practice their respective religious rituals is a key hallmark of a democratic government. Dr. Reed expressed his hope that the Bangladesh government would continue such positive initiatives in the future. The delegation also expressed their interest in fostering an effective parliamentary role to promote freedom of religion or belief, mutual respect, tolerance, awareness, and harmony among various religious communities. To this end, they exchanged views with the Deputy Speaker regarding the potential formation of a ‘Parliamentary Caucus on Freedom of Religion or Belief’ within the National Parliament of Bangladesh.
Barrister Kaiser Kamal stated that Bangladesh is a nation defined by communal harmony. He noted that the country celebrates the festivals of all religious communities in an atmosphere of great harmony and goodwill, adding that there is no distinction made between minority and majority groups. The Constitution of this country guarantees every citizen the freedom to practice their religion and ensures equal rights. People of all religions and beliefs are equal citizens of this nation.
He stated that Members of Parliament play a crucial role in upholding religious harmony, mutual respect, and tolerance. The formation of a parliamentary caucus focused on religious belief and freedom could be an excellent initiative. Such an endeavor would facilitate thematic discussions, the exchange of experiences, and policy formulation among Members of Parliament. This, in turn, could further strengthen mutual respect and religious harmony among the people of Bangladesh, contributing positively to the establishment of a tolerant society.
The Deputy Speaker further noted that in the current Parliament, the opinions and voices of all Members are valued—a significant practice that was not as prominent in the past. The reflection of diverse opinions and perspectives within Parliament enriches democratic practice. We aspire to build a Bangladesh where every individual can live in peace; where everyone is free to hold and practice their own religious beliefs and ideologies; and where the rights and dignity of all are equally protected.
Both sides expressed a shared commitment to strengthening parliamentary cooperation in promoting freedom of religion or belief, human rights, mutual respect, tolerance, and social harmony. It was hoped that this meeting would contribute positively to deepening the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom, as well as expanding cooperation in areas such as parliamentary affairs, good governance, and social development.
Relevant officials from the Parliament Secretariat were present during the meeting.
