Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus yesterday said people of all religions are like one big family in this country.

"We do not want to hear the words -- minority and majority. In this country, we all are one family; we will all live together -- this is our dream. Everyone has to come forward to realise this dream," he said.

"We are the same people. Our identity as people comes first, then religion. Every religion has a message of peace. We have to establish that message of peace within ourselves. Only then the differences will be removed," the chief adviser said.

Prof Yunus made the remarks while exchanging greetings with representatives of the Christian community on the occasion of Christmas at the State Guest House Jamuna.

He said if the message of peace of religions can be established in everybody's minds, they will find it in their respective religions too.

"Then there will be no more differences with other religions. Our children will get a beautiful childhood," Prof Yunus said.

On the occasion, Christian leaders expressed hope that generosity and communal harmony would develop in Bangladesh under the leadership Prof Yunus and assured him of giving optimum cooperation from the Christian community.

Bishop Bejoy N D'Cruze, head of the Catholic Christians of Bangladesh, hoped under Prof Yunus' leadership, Bangladesh might become a democratic, secular and non-communal country.

The Christian leaders thanked the interim government for donating Tk 2.5 crore to the Christian Religious Welfare Trust on the occasion of Christmas.

Christian leaders presented a copy of Bible to the chief adviser.

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain conducted the greeting exchange ceremony.

Law Adviser Professor Dr Asif Nazrul, Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, and Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan were present on the occasion.