"The people and the government of Bangladesh observe that this did happen on a day holy to the entire Islamic world," a government spokesman said.

He said: "The people and the government of Bangladesh are deeply concerned about the unfortunate violence and political instability in any part of the Islamic world, specially in Iraq."

As an expression of the same concern and in the larger interest of all, Bangladesh hopes that efforts would be made by all concerned to promote peace, reconciliation and justice, he said.

"At the same time, allowing the people of brotherly country of Iraq to emerge from the present crisis with a renewed commitment to and stake in building up of a strong, democratic and stable Iraq," the spokesman added.