Sun 24 Dec 2006
Awami League reportedly has a 5 point agreement with Khilafat andolon which among others gives moulanas right to give Fatwas. I just got back from a break to find out about this. To say I am angry would be an understatement. Here are couple of reactions from my progressive friends:
You must all have seen this http://www.prothom-alo.org/index.news.details.php?nid=MjQ5NQ==
I generally try not to be bothered much by bangaldesh politics as we (jonogon) are not in control anyway….but after awami league’s promise to bring blasphemy law (anybody who insults the prophet or islam will be punished)and sharia law (as parliamaent cannot pass any law which will be against quran and sunnah) and ofcourse declaring qadianis non muslim (whoever do not believe prophet muhammad PBUH as the last prophet will have to declare themseleves non muslim) I am feeling sick to the stomach and realising how meaningless our democracy , constitution , courts are….our fate is actually being written at shaikhul hadith’s home in old dhaka
I am seriusly now wanting Jaamatists to win as they do not support kaumi madrassa, they do believe in parliament,constituition and they had not promised to bring blasphemy law if they win the next election ..
And you never know, as awami league had formed the alliance with the kaumi madrasa leaders may be bangla bhai and shayakh abdur razzak will be given amnesty if they come to power as well…
If the jamaatists win….and they do something worse (though now I cannot even think anything worse) atleast I won’t feel as ditched as I am feeling now….atleast they have never promised us a secular bangladesh, never promised us muktihuddher chetonai bisshashi bangladesh….….
Another one
Have you seen the news that the party that made so much political capital out of the oppression of minorities following 2001 elections is now apparently involved in signigng agreements with a group that is committed as a matter of principle to such oppression and that the agreement itself states that they will bring about a blasphemy law, allow fatwas and stop ahmadiya activities… we are hearing differing things, one that there was no discussion in the presidium of al at all let alone with fourteen parties, and that the netri directly directed jalil to take this action, second that the netri is denying this and claiming that mr jalil has done it off his own bat, thirdly that they have not in fact signed any such agreement but are too busy to clarify anything right now given that they are busy with nominations.
Concerned citizens are mobilising to protest through a public statement and other actions. Many feel meaningless to support elections if the main alliances are going to be such mirror reflections of each other.
A very dedicated whole time senior party activist said today that he would rather give up politics altogether, and certainly give up any nominations they might have hoped for rather than be party to this kind of demonstration of hypocrisy.
December 24th, 2006 at 10:55 am
While there is still time, we must organize massive, angry, confrontational protests (NOT BHODRO MOUMO MICHIL NONSENSE) to show AL the price they will pay for this. Unless they are shit scared of the consequences they will never back off from this.
Channel your anger towards massive immediate protests–whether verbal or physical.
All gloves off, no need to be soft on AL to protect secularism, since they are obviously as much the enemy of secularism as is BNP.
December 24th, 2006 at 11:19 am
This is an attempt at political opportunism. AL probably figures that it is going to get the secular vote anyway; so it is positioning itself to divide what it sees as the “religous” vote through such regressive alliance.
Besides unprincipled compromise of its oft repeated secular slogans, AL is failing to realize that its attempt to divide the “religious” vote is futile as it cannot beat Jamaat at its game; further, it has much to lose if this results in a significant fraction of religious minorities staying home.
December 24th, 2006 at 11:21 am
Now I realize I was too polite in this op-ed…
http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/12/18/d612181501120.htm
December 24th, 2006 at 11:26 am
Aha, thokhon jodi ekta rickha aisha Jalil’er garithe bari maira ditho….
bdnews24: Abdul Jalil braved chaotic traffic to travel to the Old Dhaka and met the Shaikhul Hadith. The leader of the Khelafat-e-Majlish said he was willing but on condition: 1. there will be no law against the tenets of the Quran under an Awami League-led administration; 2. the Hakkani Alims will have the right to issue fatwa (edicts); 3. Qawmi madrasas will be recognised.
“We’ve told them if you agree, there can be an electoral alliance,” said Habibur Rahman, senior Nayeb-e-Ameer of Khelafat-e-Majlish, speaking to bdnews24.com Saturday night.
December 24th, 2006 at 12:13 pm
Welcome news for all concerned. The sooner the Awami loosens it’s grip on rigid secularism, the religious vote won’t go to the 4-Party coalirionby default. This should encourage greater debate.
December 24th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
Bodmaeshi’r ekta shima thaka uchith!
Dec 24/Sheikh Hasina: “I seek blessings of all so that we can build Bangladesh as a secular democratic country,” she told Christian community leaders when they came to exchange Christmas greetings at her Dhanmondi Sudha Sadan residence. “We want people of all faiths to enjoy their respective religious festivals freely,”
December 24th, 2006 at 12:41 pm
NTV is announcing the agreement between AL and Islamists as fact, so it’s confirmed. TV showed “outraged” reactions from various quarters. Kabir Chowdhury was shown being interviewed.
December 24th, 2006 at 12:46 pm
Sadly, AL has miscalculated big on this one.
Now, it is a lose-lose situation for them. If they agree to the Khilafat-e-Majlish demands, they will end up losing the secular vote; if they disagree, they will still lose part of the secular vote who would justifiably be upset at their dilly dallying and of course the few islamists that would have voted for them would turn away. In either case, things do not look rosy.
If one were to analyze the AL actions over the last 25 years , they certainly would not be accused of being principled.
Is getting power the ultimate goal? What will that bring to the common man? Is there a party manifesto that clearly spells out their program, objectives and how they plan on getting there.
I hate to say this, but I would hate to wage my money on AL this time - even in a fair election.
December 24th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
BNP is always the more principled party. They have matched their word with their actions– they are a rightwing islamist sympathizer party, and that is what they are.
AL is a rightwing islamist party in the kholosh of a progessive, secular party.
Every time AL brings the word secularism into their speeches, lungi khuila pacha e thappor marthe marthe lal kore dewa dorkar.
Hell with AL.
December 24th, 2006 at 12:57 pm
Bangla politics is bereft of ideology….it’s something nobody should be surprised at. Anyone will do deals with anyone else for power.
December 24th, 2006 at 1:03 pm
This was the destiny.I guess.and I truely feel Awamilegue has lost all the senity
December 24th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
Frankly, if AL is really going to be this stupid then they are not only going to lose this election, but they’re completely washed up as a party. The big vote bank that they’ve always counted on - minorities and progressives - are going to be completely alienated. In that case we’re headed for another 5 or even 10 years of BNP/Hawa Bhobon.
December 24th, 2006 at 1:59 pm
Folks,
You’re now regretting lending your covert or overt support for 14-alliance thinking AL is the citadel of some secular left ideals. But I used to know, those leaders especially Shiek Hasina, have no sense of greater or better idealism. Only thing she believes in is the power. She is neither a secular nor a Muslima nor a Human with feeling for the ever ill-fated people of Bangladesh. She is a very much power-crazy seasonal multi-colored [Bohurupi] political actress. She can emphathesize prostitues saying I’m with you and understand your greivances; On otherhand encourage those who want to eradicate the prostitues. She can fasten head-hood or scarf with the Islamists and also put Shidhur mark on her forehead with Hindu deligate. She can say to secular group,.. my father was secular and I’ m ready to sacrfiice my life for the secular idealism. Also she can say the exactly opposite stuff to fundamentalist group claming that I’m one of you because my heirs came from Baghdad if they just promise their support to her. She can console Shaheed Noor Hussain and Dr. Milon families’ and also at the samt time hug Hussain Muhammed Ershad, the shoirachar and killer of Milon and Noor Hussain. She can promise jeehad against corruption and make the biggest loan-defaulter/reen-khelafi her adviser.
She can come down to the people and promise them paradise if she is voted to power whereas she once expressed her hatred and revengeful mentality to the nation saying ” Jei Jati Tar Jatir Pitake Hautta Korte Pare Tader Kopale Dhukkhau Thakebena Tauo Kithakbe: Nation who can kill their father of nation what I can desire for them other than sufferings.”
So Hasina can’t give us and don’t want for us peace and prosperity. Only one thing she wants is the power for her and the perpetual pangs for the people.
And about Mr. Jalil, we can’t hope for any better politics unless Jalilder Moto Netader Shalil Shamadi Haube.”
Thanks.
December 24th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
This is weird and unexpected and unbeleivable tooo. I suppose the AL high ups have realised that society has changed.
Culture does not live in the museum.
I thought khilafat al majlish was sticking with the 4 party alliance and not amongst the IOJ fanctions to defect?
I think the weakness of the secular wing of the Awami League is that it hasn’t any grass roots, if a gallup poll was taken, i think it would conclude that folks in the ganj only vote AL because it was the party of Liberation. They are actually becoming more observant than before and are themselves on numerous madrassa committees.
Begum Hasina confronted the alims with the fatwa thing before the last election, perhpas that was electoral suicide for her. If always better for ddaft politicians to leave religion alone.
Perhaps now she wants to reassure beleivers that voting for her party is not to endanger the islamic culture in Bangladesh. If so, whats wrong with that?
another thing. I want an answer.
Is insulting the Prophet(s) a good thing?
Is instituting law which goes against Islamic social teachings a great idea?
Can a muslim believe that there was a Prophet after Muhammad?
or it it that you fear the thin end of a wedge that just wants to be cruel, stupid, rape and loot?
Maybe there is no need to wory because a Central Office AL clarification is probably on its way.
chill out folks.
December 24th, 2006 at 3:57 pm
I hope all the covert AWL supporters are now come to realize the true nature of Hasina and AWL. They do not want good of our beloved country. Abdul Jalil and Hasina gong wants to destroy our country’s economy with oborodh and want to start civil war ( as per Jalil) in our country for getting to power. BNP may be chor but AWL is the biggest hipocrate and sontrashi.
December 24th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
I don’t trust any political party as protector of secularism. Not any more!
1. Mullahs can declare “fatwa” = Parallel systems to judiciary (second to extra judicial killings). Why do we need courts anymore? Just abolish them and give Mullahs and RAB the job of judges.
2. Criticizing prophet or his “sahabas” will be punishable. Nonsense! What if non-Muslims do so? Will they be punished? Did not Moududi criticize “shabi” Moabia? Did not “sahabis” themselves criticize themselves? What a stupid thinking. Are they also going to filter internet access too, so that nobody sees these criticisms coming from outside the border?
3. Anybody who does not believe Muhammad was not the last prophet will be declared non-Muslim. Ahmadias are being axed. Exactly like Pakistan!
4. No laws that contradicts Quran and Sunnah. What a nonsense in 21st century. Will husbands be allowed to whiplash their wives, parents their children? We are walking backwards.
5. Recognition of Kawmi madrassahs. Did not BNP-Jamat do that already? Are those Mullahs who are fixated in 5th century mindset run the stock market, teach genetics, run the courts? What nonsense! Someday some Mullah will declare “evolution theory is satanic teaching’.
What has happened is the result of Mullahs being so organized and so vocal. Can the so called seculars get organized? Or Mullahs always get the upper hand?
Welcome to the “Islamic Republic of Banglistan”.
December 24th, 2006 at 6:18 pm
Well, the time for “perestroika” has finally come to Bangladesh and let me explain why.
It has not taken long for sensible people to voice their opposition to this volte face. According to The Daily Star, the 14 party coalition (or is it now 15) is about to split if this controversy is not taken care of immediately. There are indications that AL will say that they did not mean what they said and did not say what they meant.
Same old, same old…..
Irrespective of what the excuses are, one thing has become abundantly clear. The AL has failed to run a sensible, well- orchestrated campaign. BNP on the other hand has run a very shrewd, well-planned and well-executed campaign. They had ready-made strategies for multiple scenarios whereas AL kept shooting from the hip. And with this one, they have finally shot themselves in the foot.
I cannot imagine that AL will come out of this mishap unscathed. Looking for a silver lining, I can only hope that this political somersault will turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Bangladesh. This could finally mean that loud-mouthed Jalil and the rather amateurish Hasina will be forced to relinquish control of the party (after a major whipping from BNP that is almost certain to happen in the forthcoming elections).
For the life of me, I cannot understand why someone like Jalil is presented as AL spokesman, while much more mature, articulate and sensible individuals like Saber Chowdhury are kept in the shadows.
AL, or for that matter BNP do not belong to an individual or family and new blood that can infuse new ideas needs to be incorporated into our political system. I know, it is not going to happen tomorrow but it will eventually and that’s worth dreaming for.
December 24th, 2006 at 6:25 pm
Folks, Folks, Please calm down.
There is way too much commotion going on here.
Please think of the circumstances. Last three days, AL leadership ws busy in
1. Deciding whether to participate in election or no. This was almost a life and death decision for AL.
2. Negotiating with JP, Ershad, Rowshan et el. It was a tough job. They had to convince as well as bargain at the same time.
3. Negotiating with LDP, 14 party partners etc.
This low profile photoshot with Shaikhul Hadis was orchestrated by Jalil and Hazi Selim. I don’t believe it was decided unanimously in AL presidium.
This is simply a short term political strategy ( or in plain Bangla you can call it “Dhappa baji”), I don’t believe AL will ever implement it.
However, I don’t understand why you people are so surprised at AL’s departure from secularism. AL’s unofficial stand is to mantain status quo.
In 5 years they ruled, they didn’t bring onse single bill to nullify Ershad’s insertion of Islam as official religion.
BTW, may we imagine what would have happened today in Dhaka if BNP did this contract with Shaikhul Hadis? Where is our Nagorik Committe, Sangskritik jote, My Respected Nasir Uddin Yusuf Bachchu? Where is the protest rally in front of Shahid Minar?
At times I feel we unjustly blame the political parties for this sort of “dhappabazi” only. The intellectuals, cultural activists etc do also belong to this Dhappabz group too.
December 24th, 2006 at 7:11 pm
Rumi Says:
“At times I feel we unjustly blame the political parties for this sort of “dhappabazi” only. The intellectuals, cultural activists etc do also belong to this Dhappabz group too. ”
Rumi, do you have any grudge against the intellectuals, cultural activists? If you read the newspapers today you’ll find , all the intellectuals, cultural activists — everyone is against the signing of this MOU.
Bashing the intellectuals in every occasion seems like a populist idea.
December 24th, 2006 at 7:41 pm
Angry leftists force Jalil to go to Hasina:
Dhaka, Dec 24 (bdnews24.com) - The left-leaning allies Sunday were fuming over the Awami League’s move to woo Khelafat-e-Majlish by conceding to its demands that “go against the spirit of non-communal politics”.
AL chief Sheikh Hasina is set to sit with her longstanding left friends at 10am Monday to explain her position on the issue, Abdul Jalil said Sunday night.
Leaders of the left parties went at 11pm Sunday to the Gulshan home of AL general secretary Jalil who was meeting a Jatiya Party delegation.
The leaders expressed reservations about the AL’s agreeing to Shaikhul Hadith Allama Azizul Huq-led Khelafat’s five demands, according to sources.
The demands include giving legal cover to fatwa (edict) and government recognition to Qawmi madrasas by an AL-run administration.
Jalil hastily postponed the meeting and dashed to Hasina’s Sudha Sadan home to fill her in, the sources added.
The alliance supremo told her deputy that she would sit with the left leaders of the 13-party– a decision Jalil communicated to them who were waiting at his house until around 2am Monday.
Workers party chief Rashed Khan Menon told bdnews24.com, “This agreement (with Khelafat) is against the spirit of non-communal politics. This is unacceptable. We’ve made clear to Mr Abdul Jalil our position on the issue.”
Dilip Barua of Samyabadi Dal added, “This sort of agreement is against the spirit of independence and non-communal politics. We simply can’t accept it. We want to speak directly to the Awami League chief on the matter.”
December 24th, 2006 at 9:27 pm
“aaa”, it was journalists who spoke out loudly today, including a good pieces from Abed Khan . Intellectuals only responded when confronted by journalists. And they would have reacted differently if the other party signed the contract.
I repeat it is not a major consensus decision in AL. A splinter decision can not be taken as a major policy change for a party. And anyway it was not big policy change either. A status quo policy has been in effect for many years already.
We all need to cool down pal. :).
December 24th, 2006 at 10:56 pm
13 Allies to quit alliance if MOU not scrapped
AL-bigots electoral deal stuns all
Party faces protest from within; allies threaten to split unless pact scrapped
Staff Correspondent
Awami League (AL) faces severe criticism from its 13 allies who yesterday said the party must scrap its Saturday’s controversial deal with Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish (BKM) that shattered the promise of secularism or face a split.
AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil Saturday signed a five-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BKM. AL promised that certified Alems (Islamic clerics) will have the right to issue fatwas (Islamic religious edicts) if the grand electoral alliance comes to power through the upcoming election.
The other points of the MoU include promises to impose a bar on enacting any law that goes against Quranic values, initiation of steps for proper implementation of the initiative for government recognition of the degrees awarded by Qaumi Madrasas, and a ban on criticisms of Prophet Muhammad.
The signing took place in the Azimpur residence of BKM Chairman Allama Azizul Haque on Saturday in a sequel to an AL attempt to bring BKM into the fold of the grand alliance.
Even a large majority of AL central and grassroots members, just as a cross-section of socio-political organisations and people of all spectrum, were deeply shocked by the party’s sudden and inexplicable decision. Many of them feel it will prove a hara-kiri for the party in the election.
The disgruntled 13 parties of the so-called grand alliance last night forced a delegation led by AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil to meet Sheikh Hasina with a demand to scrap the deal. They clearly hinted a split as they feel it will be difficult for them to go along with the AL with such controversial and anti-secular stances.
“We won’t accept this five-point MoU under any circumstances,” JSD President Hasanul Haq Inu told The Daily Star at 12.30am today, who was waiting at Jalil’s house to know the outcome of the delegation’s meeting with Hasina.
The 13 partner parties feel all the more ridiculed as Hasina in less than 24 hours of the MoU signing sought ‘blessings’ of all to build Bangladesh as a ’secular democratic’ country.
But as the public outrage poured in, the AL first tried to deny signing of any such agreement, suggesting that it was all a hoax fanned by some ‘vested quarter’ with an ulterior motive using the media. But as copies of the signed agreement circulated around, Jalil finally said he signed ‘only a MoU and not any agreement’.
All the components of AL-led 14-party coalition –11-party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) and National Awami Party (NAP) — in separate news releases yesterday condemned the deal and demanded that AL cancels the deal immediately to maintain its conformity to the 23-point common national minimum programme of the coalition, which includes a promise to ban religion based politics.
But, AL, which was supposed to give a formal clarification regarding the matter, did not provide any till 9:00pm last night.
Abdul Jalil yesterday said, “It is not a contract. It is a memorandum of understanding,” adding, “It is an understanding based on an election strategy.”
Talking to a private television channel, Jalil said, “Ordinary people, especially villagers, are weak on the issue of fatwa. If educated alem-ulemas, who are knowledgeable on matters of religion, issue fatwas or directions, those will be better than the ones issued by uneducated persons.”
Defining a fatwa, Jalil said, “A decision on any issue is a fatwa,” adding, “There is a very wrong interpretation of it in this country. If we can escape that interpretation, then we can have control over fatwas so that no one can issue a fatwa on a whim.”
“AL is against those rural fatwas that order whipping of people or public humiliation of women,” Jalil said.
Talking to The Daily Star a number of AL presidium members, leaders of its central working committee (ALCWC), and its city, district and upazila level leaders expressed their utter shock over the agreement.
AL Presidium Member Tofail Ahmed rather angrily said he was not aware of the MoU.
Another Presidium Member Suranjit Sengupta said, “It’s a hoax! What I have seen in newspapers is baseless.”
AL President Sheikh Hasina’s Political Secretary Saber Hossain Chowdhury said, “We have not and will not compromise our secular ideal and stance.”
Many former lawmakers of AL also told The Daily Star yesterday that they feel ashamed because of the agreement. They also said they might quit the party if the MoU is not cancelled immediately.
“If our party allows Islamic fundamentalist practices like fatwas after 35 years of liberation then what is wrong with forging an alliance with anti-liberation Jamaat,” one of the frustrated leaders of ALCWC told The Daily Star.
“The understanding was signed between Awami League and us as it is in the press statement,” BKM Organising Secretary Humayan Kabir told The Daily Star last night. The MoU was read out at the meeting between AL and BKM, he said adding that the AL general secretary and their secretary general both signed on the MoU after listening to the points of the understanding that had been read out.
Sources in AL said the MoU was signed keeping most of the top leaders of the party in the dark. Party insiders said AL presidium members Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Kazi Zafarullah, Adviser to Sheikh Hasina Salman F Rahman, and AL leaders Sheikh Helal and Abul Hasnat Abdullah however knew about the move for the agreement.
Zafarullah told The Daily Star that their MoU with BKM was misinterpreted by newspapers. “We have reached an agreement with them that no one will be able to issue a fatwa except authorised persons or institutions,” said the AL leader.
Sources however said the agreement was signed following a faction of top AL leaders’ initiative to bring different Islamic political parties, which largely depend on donations from a few Islamic countries, into the fold of the grand alliance.
The faction also succeeded in bringing several Islamic political parties into the grand alliance, some of which secured several nominations also.
14-PARTY COMPONETS PROTEST
AL-led 14-party coalition’s one of the major component, 11-party, yesterday held an emergency meeting in the Workers Party office in the capital.
The meeting termed the MoU signed between AL and BKM ‘inconsistent’ with the principal spirit of AL and hoped that it will pullout of the MoU to uphold secular and democratic spirit and to vanquish BNP-Jamaat alliance.
The meeting observed that the five-point deal do not conform with 14-party coalition’s 23-point common national minimum programme which emphasises on elimination of religious bigotry and communalism from every level of the government and administration for establishing a democratic and secular country.
The MoU also does not conform with the points of the coalition’s minimum programme that promise court trials of war criminals, banning of communal politics and its propagation, putting an end to religious intervention, and ensuring freethinking as well as freedom of speech, the meeting observed.
Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon said they will give their complete reaction after consulting with AL leaders on the issue.
JSD also held an emergency meeting to protest the deal. The meeting said the secular and non-communal people of the country will not accept the five-point deal.
Gono Forum said the deal dismayed the people. Gonotontri Party said the MoU will put a dent in the spirit of the war of liberation.
December 24th, 2006 at 11:04 pm
What a pact with Khelafat-e-Majlish!
…
On the question of fatwa, a system of law parallel to the existing legal system is being pandered to. This means that certain Ulemas will be placed above the law of the land.
….
To build a forward looking and modern Bangladesh aligning with fringe obscurantist elements cannot be of any help; this realisation must dawn on the AL before the party can come out clean on the issue.
December 24th, 2006 at 11:07 pm
Bangladesh e ekhono manush jege ache!
Accord with Khelafat sparks widespread condemnation/DS
The accord between Awami League (AL) and Khelafat Majlish sent shockwaves throughout the country yesterday as widespread condemnation of the agreement poured in.
Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), an NGO, in a press release said if laws were passed according to the agreement, it would violate section 39 of the constitution. They said it would tarnish the respect and honour of the courts as giving alems the power to issue fatwa will create another court alongside the existing courts.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat yesterday said the signing of the accord between AL and Khelafat Majlish is part of a great conspiracy to turn Bangladesh into Pakistan and to take Bangladesh into the dark ages.
“As a citizen of Bangladesh, we are astonished and worried,” Missionary-in-Charge of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Abdul Awal told The Daily Star yesterday.
He said, “The omnipotent Allah is enough to protect us. Our faith doesn’t depend on any person or any party. We are least bothered about what anyone thinks about our religious status.”
Leaders of South Asian People’s Union Against Fundamentalism & Communalism and Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee issued a joint protest statement against the agreement between the AL and Khelafat Majlish.
Blasting the AL: “How could Awami League sign the agreement with a political party which is based on fundamentalism,” the statement said.
Prof Kabir Chowdhury, Justice KM Sobahan, Binod Bihari Chowdhury, singer Kalim Sharafi, Major General (retd) CR Dutta, poet Syed Shamsul Haque, Prof Ajoy Roy, journalist Shahriar Kabir, Prof Muntasir Mamun and painter and cartoonist Rafiqun Nabi were among the signatories of the statement.
Communist Party Bangladesh (CPB) said the agreement between AL and Khelafat Majlish encourages communalism and fundamentalism.
Among others Nagorik Udyog, Bangladesh Hindu, Buddha Christian Oikya Parishad, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Goshthi, Bangladesh Sramajibi Nari Moitree, Gono-Sangskritik Front and Sammilita Sangskritik Jote also condemned the agreement
December 25th, 2006 at 12:04 am
You’re all, including *eminent citizens* of the country, are freaking out way too much before any obvious thing happens. AL didn’t win the election yet, and when they win, why don’t we wait to see IF INDEED this Fatwa thing is given a chance at all??
I DO think that saying anything against Prophet Muhammed (sm) should be banned and so should be anyone saying anything against Jesus, Goutom Budhya or Durga or any other religions idols. Talking moronic thing about each other’s religion’s idol brings unnecessary conflict among people.
Anyways, I dont really trust these *hujurs*. They are way too obvious to be quite devilish.
December 25th, 2006 at 1:21 am
“Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first” –Ronald Regan.
I strongly believe this quote by Regan. But what AL did is worse than that. This contract is not a pragmatic one either. Moreover, all those five points are very serious issues. AL should have given some thought before signing such contract.
December 25th, 2006 at 1:52 am
So please tell us, where are we the non Muslims of Bangladesh, now supposed to go?
December 25th, 2006 at 4:10 am
onicchuuk,
What exactly do you fear?The non-muslims have been in this area for a long time,inlcuding duringthe former East Pak regime and now after independence and without problem–Yes some muslims with less knowledge of the religion and to gain political mileage have caused problems specially during Election but that not in a very wide scale– this happens even in India during and sometimes after elections-Dont forget the Babri Mosque issue but for that whole Hindu community wasnt blasted only the Politicians were–INFACT ITS POLITICIANS that creates all those-all over the world even at the most practised Democratic Country called USA/UK.
So dont have to go any place but stay here without fear–People in Bangladesh with exception of criminals are best in the world:
Now to clarify to YOU and all the rest of the FRIENDS a few things:
1.The religion ISLAM and the Holy Book Quran is a complete code of LIfe for Muslims who want to lead a good peaceful,honest and right methods.
2.The Holy Quran doesnt teach Muslims to disrespect or fight just because others are non-muslims.
3.The kalima clearly states that Allah is 0ne and Supreme and that Mohammad is the Prophet of Allah as are about 1 lac some 25/30 thousand prophets of which only 25 are mentioned in the Holy Quran–and that all Prophets are to be respected equally–Even the Prophet himself has said that he is but only a man choosen by Allah and that all man should fear only Allah and the teachings of the Quran for their salvation.
4.There is no FATWABZI system in ISLAM or in the Holy Book; those are man made principles to establish dominance and to create hatred for the Religion;Please ask whatever the PART KHILAFAT MAJLISH or whatever PARTY to show where that is so scribed in the HOLY BOOK–They cannot show.
5.Ahmedis also know that Kalima is the essence of ISLAM
December 25th, 2006 at 4:22 am
Rumi bhai,
you were wrong about the budhdhijibis. Bachchu, Shahriar Kabir etc spoke out quite strongly against this. Also a statement has gone out as per below.
*******
from New Age:
Some socio-political and pro-independence organisations, including the South Asian People’s Union against Fundamentalism and Communalism, Ain O Salish Kendra, Gana Sangskritik Front and Nagarik Udyog also condemned the agreement and said the agreement was against human rights.
A statement of the South Asian People’s Union against Fundamentalism and Communalism faxed by eminent journalist Shahriyar Kabir said there would be no difference between the Awami League and the BNP if the former compromises with the patron of ultra-Islamist forces and godfathers to go to power.
The statement was signed by eminent people, including Kabir Chowdhury, Vinod Bihari Chowdhury, Justice KM Sobhan, Kalim Sharafi, retired major general CR Dutta, Borhanuddin Khan Jahangir, Barrister Shafique Ahmed, Kamal Lohani, Hasan Azizul Haq, Qayyum Chowdhury, Syed Shamsul Huq, retired lieutenant colonel Abu Osman Chowdhury, Professor Ajoy Roy, Abul Hossain, Professor Anupan Sen, Anwara Syed Haq, Waliur Rahman, Professor Razia Matin Chowdhury, Hashem Khan, Rafiqunnabi, Rabiul Hossain, Muntassir Mamum, Shaymali Nasreen Chowdhury, Professor Mahfuza Khanum, Ferdausi Priyabhashini, Rana Das Gupta, Professor Gazi Salauddin, Safiqul Alam, Pradip Dewanji, Abul Barak Alvi, Kajal Debnath, Tarique Ali, Dalia Nausheen, Salma Haq, Aroma Dutta, Zafar Iqbal, Shamim Akhtar, Shirin Banu Mithil, Kazi Mukul, Zahid Newaz, Daulat Ara Mannan, Professor Md Kamruzzaman, Abu Sayeed, Zulfiqar Ali Manik, Fazlur Rahman, Amal Das, Md Arafat, Kazi Lutfar Rahman and Shawkat Banagali.
December 25th, 2006 at 4:26 am
6.tHEREFORE aHMEDIS SHOULD not FORCE FOR RECOGNITION THATS THE REASON FOR DISRUPTY-We have dIFFERENCES OVER Hazrat ALI(RA) but they dont create a big issue and dont force for recognition-so no problems and they all respect Prophet Muhammad too.
The list is too big –I have given the main ones for people to understand.
ISLAM AND HOLY BOOK QURAN DOESNT TEACH TO KILL PEOPLE OF OTHER RELIGION AND THERE IS NO FATWABAZI IN RELIGION OR THE BOOK.
The religious leaders are only allowed to give a proper meaning of Arabic text or details of issues like Zakat or Fitra or proper procedure of marriage and divorce –nothing more not even the so called PIRs–there is no PIRs in the religion too–
Madrashas are allowed only to preach the reading of the HOLy Quran in proper way and also to impart their meaning and some other subjects like mayhs n english Bengali can be added to if possible–Nothing else
I am open to any questions from any quarters but within this forum so that all can learn the right thing.
December 25th, 2006 at 5:33 am
Naeem,
Ref yr comments sl no:24 I wish to specifically take in three points.1.”Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat yesterday said the signing of the accord between AL and Khelafat Majlish is part of a great conspiracy to turn Bangladesh into Pakistan and to take Bangladesh into the dark ages.”AND no: 2He said, “The omnipotent Allah is enough to protect us. Our faith doesn’t depend on any person or any party. We are least bothered about what anyone thinks about our religious status.”AND NO:3″Leaders of South Asian People’s Union Against Fundamentalism & Communalism and Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee”
You are a good writer and I understand that you are also into making films– Your knowledge should far exceed those of the Ahmedias.Dont you see their duplicate statements in sl no 1 and sl no 2. First of all they are dreaming and trying to create bad blood between us;secondly if they have so strong belief then what stops them to believe fully;0ne God and Muhmmad(PBUH) is the last Prophet thorugh whom the Holy Book Quran was completed– this is how by doing partial belief they become actual ENEMIES of the country and try to divide and cause disruption.YOu know it and many here does so and therefore no need to worry–these r bad elements and we have them in the Country–too bad we cant do anything.
About the No: 3 Most of the Union people and Communists talk about fundamentalism but dont understand what they say: Ervery religion has some fundamental(and I am sure u know its proper meaning) rules;Christians,Jews,Hindus and even those who are Aethists- they have to follow those to be identified to their religion they profess and we Muslims have it too-and what are they talking against fundamentalism;
in the mosques on Friday I have seen people even from communists and these unions praying maybe they come only on Friday like christians go to church on SUndays—
and if you mean the al-qayeda style or extreme style -You know the religion -ISLAM-doesnt prescribe any such thing like these– but people with half or little knowledge creates confusion-those r man made problems not Religion based.
Yes these organisations have funny names Khilafat Majlish–majlish means gathering and khilafat means revolution–so the organisation meansgathering of revolutionists–what revolution are they talking about–and we have similar organizations Harkatul -barkatul–without any specific meaning or ideals-they just don on some muslim dress and a cap n try to pass off as Muslim– it isnt easy to become a true n honest Muslim- but claiming to be muslims is anothjer thing.
I am confident you have understood-should you have any questions please feel free to ask–after all we r supposed to learn from this forum too.
Please do keep up writing yr wonderful articles.
December 25th, 2006 at 9:56 am
As I see it, AL either lied to the vast majority of people of Bangladesh regarding scularism, or they lied to BKM when they signed this MOU. Only time will tell whom they lied to. But the bottom line is, AL is a lier. Now the choice people of Bangladesh has to make is whether to TRUST a lier or not. I can see that some of you already made that choice. GOOD LUCK…you’ll need that walking on the thin line with a lier.
December 25th, 2006 at 10:11 am
Phantom,
I am afraid you are taking the debate into a different direction. They key point is that this agreement violates one of the core principles of AL policy,which is secularism. So it should not really matter, what the other person believes in.
However, you apparently have some misconceptions about the Ahmaddiyas and I would like to clarify some of those.I am BTW a Sunni - not that it should matter.
In post # 30, you appear to indicate that they have some differences with the other islamic sects regarding the role of Hazrat Ali. I think you are confusing them with Shias.
The principle difference that the Ahmaddiyas have with other Islamic sects lies in the fact that in their opinion Allah continues to guide humanity through Imams, Walis and other such religious leaders.It is pure propaganda that they consider Mirza Ghulam Ahmad to be a prophet. They do not; they consider him to be a wali. This wilful distortion has been spread among the masses by vested interests to create discord among the muslims.
This is what Mirza Ahmad said himself ” The actual fact, to which I testify with the highest testimony, is that our Holy Prophet, peace and the blessings of God be upon him, is the Last of the Prophets, and after him no prophet is to come, neither an old one nor a new one. But it must be remembered that, as we have explained here, sometimes the revelation from God contains such words about some of His saints in a metaphorical and figurative sense; they are not meant by way of reality.”
There are hundreds of web pages explaining the various aspects of the Ahmadiyya religion. Please google for relevant articles. Here are couple of good ones:
1. http://aaiil.org/text/acus/mainacus.shtml
2. http://aaiil.info/misconceptions/twenty/eleventh.htm
In any case let us all remember that in a secular Bangladesh, all its citizens Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Atheists should have equal rights.The issue of God should remain confined to the individual and his creator; the state should have no role in controlling or influencing that.
December 25th, 2006 at 11:34 am
Oooo..it’s the media’s fault! Naughty little elfs.
Ok, emergency called off. Back to Close Up 1..Teeni vs Thani vs Tona vs Tooni
“The media misrepresented an agreement between our party and the Khelafat Majlish,” Joint General Secretary Obaidul Quader said after a meeting with 13 allies at party chief Sheikh Hasina’s home.
December 25th, 2006 at 11:59 am
We should shut down all media. They are always darkening BD’s image, and without them we would have shosshyo shyamola Bangla desh.
Joinal Hazari: media r dosh
Tipu Sultan: bhalo hoise, ke bolse thore AL er bodnam korthe
Monga: media khali mitthya kotha bole, shobai pet pure khacche (just as in 1974)
Kisher Kansat, shob media
Transparency International, arre dhoor media jodi eyshob baje kotha na report kortho, thahole amra tho Netherlands ke overtake kortham in clean government
Loadshedding, bomb blast, rahajani, hawa bhaban, shudha bhaban, shob media creation
Secret meeting of bureaucrats at dead of night, arre who told the media to take photos with such bright lights, ey jonnei tho bechara civil servant blue blazer diye matha dhakthe baddhyo hoise
MOU, arre thukku media misunderstanding…
bdnews24: “The media misrepresented an agreement between our party and the Khelafat Majlish”
December 25th, 2006 at 12:45 pm
A few questions raised in posts by “Fugstar” and “phantom” with regards to signing the agreement with Khelafat-i-Majlish:
1) Q: Is insulting the Prophet(s) a good thing?
A: Nobody I know is talking about defending an insult. The question is whether or not you want to enshrine this into a law. If you do, you need to define what constitutes an insult and who decides what is an insult. In Pakistan, a young Pakistani Christian was sentenced to death (fortunately overturned later) under blasphemy laws because some one reported that he said something derogatory against the Prophet(sm). Do we really want similar laws because some Mollah somewhere interpreted some one’s utterance as such? Do we really want the killers of intellectuals on 14th December, 1971 to decide who is to live and who is to die based on their interpretation?
2) Q:Is instituting law which goes against Islamic social teachings a great idea?
A: In asking this question, there is a fundamental assumption–that there is just one set of Islamic social teachings that all muslims accept. This is historically inaccurate. For almost a thousand years, the dominant form in which Islam was practiced and propagated has all been trashed of late as innovation by the Wahhabi school of thought.
Ultimately, it all depends on what you mean by Islamic social teachings and who interpretes them? Do you consider the Hudood ordinance in Pakistan part of Islamic social teachings? Do you consider all supposed Hadith and Sunnah, which were not given final form until hundreds of years after the Prophet (sm)’s death, an integral part of Islam, knowing fully well that even some one like Bukhari discarded a large number of them and was not himself sure that he had all of them correct when he stopped.
3) Can a muslim believe that there was a Prophet after Muhammad?
The Ahmadiyyas interprete the word “Seal of the prophet” differently than mainstream muslims. While, mainstream muslims do not agree, what gives us the right to persecute them for claiming what they say?
For your information, based on similar principles of exclusivity, a section of Wahhabis consider the Shias nonmuslims because Shias do not adhere to the same set of Hadith. Some of these are willing to commit suicide to blow up innocent Shia women and children based on this ideology.
December 25th, 2006 at 12:58 pm
NEW AGE is asking for reader’s letters on the AL-Khelafat MOU. Send your emails to quickcomments@gmail.com. Let’s focus our comments on cancelling our MOU. Explicit call to action, not endless esoteric discussion.
December 25th, 2006 at 1:30 pm
Saleh Tanweer,
Thankyou for taking the effort to answer my worries. I am sorry but reading your answers, i feel they are kinda wishy washy. The Ahmedi community backtrack, daft use of hadith and jamaatis are gonna kill us all arguments dont fill me with understanding.
Please leave Salaphication (wahabism) and weird goings on in Pakistan (hudood) for another related discussion. If you drop me an email i can send you a paper on maqasid al sharia(the higher objectives), where i develop some ideas that you might not find so scarey.
You can choose to use the worst examples from afghanistan, your parents childhood or iran when critiquing the islamic revival vibe ‘or’ draw upon more contemporary signs from aceh, somalia or malaysia.
The sensitivity and the sensibility of whatever policy structure adopted by a party depends on the moral imagination and worldview of its proponents. The Awami Muslim League used to be a party that i would have respected, especially with Suhrawardhi at its head. I would have loved some kinda tutelage under that chap.
The ‘Muslim’ was dropped in much similar circumstances to whats happening now, i think. The AL caravan has changed, and the terrain it moves through has changed. The fuel which was resentment at the injustices of pakistan era and a micro intellectual renaisance in east bengal has run out…. well i feel that the tank is on empty now. what do you think?
Perhaps this explains this reframing of secular fundamentalism with these five points.
December 25th, 2006 at 10:06 pm
I am shocked and frustrated. It seems to me that AWL has made another policy blunder. Who are advising AWL president?
True to the prediction of late Enayetullah Khan, former editor of New Age, BNP-Jamat has started campaign against AWL saying that Islam would be eliminated and country will turned into Indian province if AWL comes to power. BNP succeeded in 1991 using the same tactics. Obviously such false propaganda attracts millions of uneducated religious minded people in Bangladesh. To counter this massive propaganda AWL neeeded some Islamic parties in its fold. They got many such as Zaker party, Tarikat federation, Islami Oikka Jote, Islami Shasontantra Andolon etc. I do not know why did AWL need another party.
Jalil, Salman, Zafrullah were in the team that met Khelafat Mazlis. All of them are businessmen. I am doubtful about political acument of these leaders.
However, late Mayor hanif first started talking against secularism. Sk. Hasina did say nothing against Mayor Hanif. There was rumour that Hanif had support of Hasina.
December 26th, 2006 at 12:13 am
Do you guys feel like to discuss about whether Bangladesh is the next Pakistan aka Banglistan?
December 26th, 2006 at 3:16 am
[...] can help these students
Election will be rigged
While most people are getting all worked up by Awami Leagues [...]
December 26th, 2006 at 10:53 am
Since there is not many ideological differences between AL and BNP, I think they should marge and that should bring peace in the country… what do you guys think….
December 26th, 2006 at 11:42 am
This is quite a nice setup…..any time AL don’t win, election is rigged…..how can you be so sure that AL cannot lose a free and fair election? If that’s the mental setup you’re working with, then why talk about free and fair election at all? What I understand from a free and fair election is that either party can win or lose this election….depending on people’s support. So how come if BNP wins this election, that’s because the election is rigged?
Your second point is even funnier…you said if BNP wins, rajakars will come to power. How about if AL wins? What about mufti shahisdul islam and all? Are they not rajakar? Or may be the moment they joined AL, they became muktijoddha?
What Dr. Yunus said is that a all party comittee locally that’ll verify the results locally. At local level, it’s easier to judge an election. Then if at the national level, some party talks about sukkho or sthulo karchupi, they can be hold accountable at local levels. Now I agree with you that he is talking about an ideal situation. How can we form 300 all party comittees while we can’t even agree on one or two persons at the higher levels?
December 26th, 2006 at 1:03 pm
Sensible, it was my trackback from my blog. So could you comment there and not in Drishtipat blog?
Dr Yunus talks nonsense. I will tell that if I see his brother sometimes soon.
Annoying!
December 26th, 2006 at 2:03 pm
Well folks, its not that easy now-a-days to rigg an election. See below an excerpt from Bangladesh Election Commission’s website on the conducting and counting of votes. Specifically note that by law, the presiding officer of a polling center has to count the vote in front of all the polling agents from different polical parties. Upon completion of the count, the presiding officer will prepare a statement and hand over a certified copy of it to the polling agent if they want.
I understand that the specter of vote-rigging from the days of Ershad is still fresh to many people. During the last 3 elections, more than 99% cases, there were no problem in counting and getting agreement on results among the polling agents at the poll-center level.
In essence, candidates are declared winner/loser by the party people based on center vote-counting long before the declaration by the returning officer. Just imagine, what will happen this year in the age of cell phones –election results will be available to the candidates as soon as the count is complete. The days of media coup are long gone. People will not accept anything like 4+7+7=30 any more.
http://www.ecs.gov.bd/electoral.php3?t=8
“”Poll and count
According to law, casting of votes and counting of votes are the pivotal and final tasks in the whole process of the election, though the consolidation of results and declaration of the names of returned candidates are the subsequent legal requirements.
9.1 Before Poll : The Returning Officer provides each Presiding Officer with necessary ballot boxes of such material and design as are approved by the Commission. Not more than one ballot box is used at a time for the purpose of the poll at any polling booth.
9.2 Poll : At least half an hour before the time fixed for the commencement of the poll, the Presiding Officer is required to ensure that every ballot box to be used is empty, show the empty ballot box to the contesting candidates and their election agents and polling agents whoever may be present, close and seal the ballot box and place the ballot box so as to be conveniently accessible to the elector — visible to all present in the booth — officials and election or polling agents as may be present. Every elector will mark his ballot paper in secret before the same is folded and inserted in the ballot box by the elector himself.
The Presiding Officer regulates the number of electors to be admitted to the polling station at a time and excludes from the polling station all other persons except those connected with the polling.
The Presiding Officer is responsible for keeping order at the polling station so that an elector can exercise his free will to cast his vote at the polling station.
Where an elector presents himself at the polling station to vote, the Presiding Officer shall, after satisfying himself about his identity, issue to him a ballot paper after giving him a personal mark made with indelible ink on his thumb or any other finger of either hand, placing a mark on the electoral roll against the number and name of the elector to indicate that a ballot paper has been issued to him and recording the elector’s number and procuring signature of the elector on the counter foils of electoral roll and ballot paper respectively .
The elector, on receiving the ballot paper, shall forthwith proceed to the place reserved for marking the ballot paper, put the prescribed mark on the ballot paper at any place within the space containing the name and symbol of the contesting candidate for whom he wishes to vote and after he has so marked, fold the ballot paper and insert it in the ballot box. He has to do the whole thing at the quickest speed.
If a person representing himself to be an elector applies for a ballot paper when another person has already represented himself to be that elector and has voted under the name of the person so applying, he shall be entitled to receive a ballot paper which is called a tendered ballot paper. The Presiding Officer maintains separate accounts of tendered and challenged votes and also spoilt ballot papers as per law.
The polling time is generally 0800-1600hrs local time. No person is allowed entry into the polling station enclosure after 1600hrs.
9.3 Count of Votes : Immediately after the close of the poll with the casting of vote by the last voter of the day, the Presiding Officer, in the presence of such of the contesting candidates, election agents, polling agents and election observers as may be present, proceeds with the count of votes.
The Presiding Officer gives such of the contesting candidates, election agents and polling agents as may be present, reasonable facility of observing the count and gives them such information with respect thereto as can be given consistent with the orderly conduct of the count and the discharge of his duties in connection therewith.
Under the law no person other than the Presiding Officer, the Polling Officer, any other person on duty in connection with the poll, the contesting candidates, their election agents and polling agents are to be present at the count. However, authorized observers are allowed by the Election Commission to observe the count as a special dispensation. The Presiding Officer shall open the used ballot box or ballot boxes and count the entire lot of ballot papers taken out there from in presence of these persons.
The valid ballot papers cast in favor of each contesting candidate are preserved in separate packets. The Presiding Officer, immediately after the count, prepares a statement of the count and if so requested by any candidate or election agent or polling agent present, gives him a certified copy of the statement of the count and the ballot paper account.
The Presiding Officer puts in good order all records of the poll and sends them to the Returning officer immediately.
The Returning Officer is required to give the contesting candidates and their election agents a notice in writing of the day, time and place for the consolidation of the results and, in the presence of such of the contesting candidates and election agents as may be present, consolidate in the prescribed manner the results of the count furnished by the Presiding Officer, including therein, the postal ballots received by him before the time aforesaid.
9.4 Recount : The Returning Officer shall recount the valid ballot papers in respect of any polling station if the count by the Presiding Officer is challenged in writing by a contesting candidate or his election agent and the Returning Officer is satisfied about the reasonableness of the challenge or he is directed so to do by the Commission.
Where, after consolidation of the results or the count, it is found that there is equality of votes between two or more contesting candidates and the addition of one vote for one such candidate would entitle him to be declared elected, the Returning Officer shall forthwith draw a lot in respect of such candidates and the candidate on whom the lot falls shall be deemed to have received the highest number of votes entitling him to be declared elected. The lot shall be drawn in the presence of such of the contesting candidates and their election agents as may be present.
The Returning Officer shall, after obtaining the result of the count or of the draw of the lot declare by public notice the contesting candidate who has or is deemed to have received the highest number of votes to be elected. The Commission is required as per law to publish in the official gazette the name of the returned candidate.
The Returning Officer shall supply duly attested copies of the consolidated statement and the return of election to such of the candidates and their election agents as may desire to have them.”"
December 27th, 2006 at 6:21 am
Rezaul Karim,
refyr comments on sl#33. Yes u r right that in #30 due to fast typing the lines got confused–I did mean that we as sunni and then shias also have a difference over Hajrat Ali(RA) but then the Shias dont insist on getting recognition so no problem beasides people know abt this difference for a long time.
But Ahmedias/kadianis or if there is any more are recent confusions– I am doing some research–however need to be careful of websites too–right after 9/11 many Jew/Christian sponsored organisations have included wesites that contain their interpretation too confirming that Islam is a terrorist group and has been so from its inception– similar there will be Ahmedias/Qadianis –to nullify their facts abt Mirza and also deny other accusations n create confusion abt the rtakats of prayers etc.– very pathewtic indeed sad to say–we get confused–
However on my part I find that the English translation by Ali is the best and I follow the English translation by him in respect of Quranic texts chapter wise; Also the Holy Quran wiith English translation provided free from Saudi Arabia during the early years after Independence has good translation. From America it is also widely known that they have produced Quran with changed English translation–very difficult to catch unless you rae an expert–A close relative and many others have seen that.
In Reality the religion is simple but humans complicate it.
I am as I have said doing my reasearch/investigating threoughly this topic even discussing with connections from different countries-NOt Pakistan/India but others and lets see what I come up with and You all will know
December 27th, 2006 at 6:28 pm
In response to comment # 19 and 29,
Here is commentery by Golam Mortaza of weekly 2000. It says exactly what I said about Bangladesh intellectuals in my comment # 18.
http://www.shaptahik2000.info/Pdf/mp20070105.pdf
December 28th, 2006 at 1:07 pm
Excellent Piece of writings.
Thanks Rumi bhai.
Golam Mortaza pointed a good point on our so called Civil Society.
This is the problem everything start well in Bangladesh but just one step further things becomes politically inclined and motivated. Wish we could change this but again looking at the young second generation Bangladeshi in Bangladesh and in Abroad looks like its not possible we are all so inclined to biased one side politics rather than being with truth we are mostly with our parties.Hope this would changne.
thanks
Kawser Jamal
http://www.changeBangladesh.com
December 30th, 2006 at 11:01 am
The alliance of the AL with the Khilafat-e-majlish proves bryond doubt that the former has moved several steps away from liberal democracy and religious tolerance which was responsible for their thumping victory in 1971.
It again confirms that politics played and practiced on the bedrock of an exclusive state religion, cannot, ultimately do justice to other religious minorities.
The prospect of enactment of the act which makes blasphemy a penal offence, any criticisms directed against the Holy Prophet punishable by law has the under-currents of requirement by a large section of Bangladeshi Muslim society. Although it does not explicitly state that criticisms of other religious prophets belonging to the minority community will be tolerated, it also does not clearly define any action if such criticisms and iconoclasm takes place.
By agreeing to ally with the K-e-majlish, the Awami Leaguers have diplayed the needs of sacrifice of their premier ideology to placate the sections pf the majority community, whose demands are increasingly getting radicalised in respect of religious tolerance viz-a vis Islam. How preposterous can be the enactment of the act without safeguarding and creating proper legal barriers for any criticism directed at their religion.
The volte face of the AL proves again that when statecraft and religion are inter-twinned and dependent in gradual measures, future of minoroties can be bleak. It is worth noting that Bangladeshis do not shy away from benefitting from the kind of tolerance in UK, US and Europe where a chunk of the population have bettered their economic prospects by several degrees, while refusing to allow the lodestar of its freedom movement, secularism and liberal democracy to thrive beyond the prospect of popular demand
February 25th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
The pact Awami League made with the fundamentalist party will haunt them forever. Though this pact is no more, the fact that it was there has destroyed any credibility the party ever had. Awami League is no longer a secular party. Now there is nothing they can boast of. AL is finished forever!