Dhaka  - A leader of a visiting German parliamentary delegation said Tuesday said that Bangladesh could be a role model for a political system where democracy and Islam run hand in hand.

"I think Bangladesh can be a role model ... because it is not that we have too many countries who have a majority of people of Muslim faith but also well working as a democracy," German legislator Sebastian Edathy told a press conference.

Edathy led a five-member German delegation of lawmakers from the German Bundestag to Bangladesh.

The delegation chief said Bangladesh is one of the Muslim countries where "Islam and democracy can go together very well."

Lawmakers in Bangladesh's new parliament should work together for the future of the country and not considering members of opposing parties enemies, he added.

Bangladesh, with its political scene sharply polarized between two major parties - the Awami League of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of opposition leader Khaleda Zia - returned to a parliamentary system of democracy early this year after nearly two years of quasi-military rule.

The BNP rejoined parliamentary proceedings only Monday after nearly a month of boycott over a row over seating arrangements.

Edathy, who is chairs the home affairs committee of the Bundestag, said the issue of terrorism came up during meetings with the prime minister and opposition, and both agreed presented a challenge for the entire democratic system.

If requested, the German government could support training of Bangladeshi police and exchange knowledge about combating terrorism, he said.

Cooperation in renewable energy, climate-change issues, human rights, poverty alleviation, and trade and investment also featured in the discussions. (dpa)