by Sumon Corraya

The top, best liked topics covered by the radio are family issues, women empowerment, the economy and spirituality. Based in the Philippines, the station's Bangla service has an audience of about a million listeners.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - In Bangladesh, Muslims represent 99 per cent of the audience of Radio Veritas Asia (RVA). For them, the Catholic broadcaster's programmes help them have a "better life," this according to RVA's Listeners Seminar 2014, which was held today at the pastoral centre in Rajshahi.

Fr Joyanto Rozario, head of RVA's Bangla service, joined 175 faithful RVA listeners from around the country.

Based in Fairview (Quezon City, Philippines), RVA is a Catholic station that operates as the short wave radio of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC). It is run by the Christian Communication Center.

Dubbed "the missionary of Asia" and "the voice of Asian Christianity," RVA can be heard in different countries of the continent.

The Bangla edition has been on the air for 33 years, with an audience of about a million listeners.

Family issues, women, the economy, science and world news are among the topics covered by the station.

Readings from the sacred texts of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam are also broadcast.

"My favourite show is Mohot Jibon (Great Life), said Faruk, a Muslim listener. "The programme airs on Monday night. It speaks about the life and work of great people, and it is an inspiration to me. It pushes me to build a better life. "

Still, "all the programmes are great because they speak about values ​​and spirituality, which are important things for a person's education," he said.

"When listening to this radio station people feel more motivated to help society, especially in rural areas where it is changing things in a positive way," said another aficionado, Wabaydullah Pintu.

• bangladesh
• radio
• veritas
• asia
• philippines
• rva
• listerner
• seminar