Helen LaFave, Charge d’Affaires (CDA) of the US Embassy in Dhaka met Religious advisor AFM Khalid Hossain. On Tuesday (October 15, 2024), they discussed various matters of mutual interest in the meeting in the office of the religious advisor at the secretariat.

The religious adviser said that Bangladesh’s relationship with the United States is very close and friendly. He expressed optimism that the relationship between the two countries will be more intensive in the future. Besides, he wished for the continued cooperation of the United States in the development of Bangladesh. In response to a question from the religious adviser regarding the rehabilitation of the Rohingya, the US Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires said that there are currently about 20,000 Rohingya living in the United States, many of whom are receiving higher education in the country’s universities.

He also said that since the Rohingya entered Bangladesh, the United States has been helping them with food, medical care, sanitation, etc. He also assured the adviser of US cooperation in the return of Rohingyas from Bangladesh to their motherland Myanmar. The Religious Adviser briefed the US Charge d’Affaires on various programs and steps taken by his ministry to protect and strengthen communal harmony in Bangladesh.

The US Charge d’Affairs expressed its intention to work with the Ministry of Religious Affairs on various social issues including communal harmony, human rights, religious freedom. Besides, he was informed in detail about the steps taken by the Ministry of Religion regarding the recently held Durgo Festival of Hindus. Religious Secretary Md. Hamid Jamaddar, US Embassy Political Officer Anne Dougherty and Labor Affairs Officer James A. Stewart were present in the meeting.