Speak against Islam and You Become Progressive

Since liberation a misconception that we waged war against religion - Islam, since the Pakistani junta engaged in a dirty plan to eliminate us on the excuse of Islam - occupied many evil brains. But was it so? Did we reject Islam in the fight against the Pakistani junta? After liberation, the constitution made by a section of the renowned lawyers reportedly experts on constitutional matters included two things which were hitherto not very familiar to the common people; and those were secularism and socialism. Every body knew that Godlessness will never hold ground in this soil where more than twelve 'awlias' have been enshrined and millions of their devotees are scattered across the country. Yet for whose sake these two basic 'principles' of our state were included in the constitution God alone knows. The common people never accepted secularism and that is very much manifest in the fact that the preachers of socialism or communism never gained more than one or two seats at best in the parliament. And now the leaders of the leftist parties have either took shelter under the umbrella of one of the three big parties or have become 'vox wagon' parties. But interestingly they have been able to brainwash many of our young generations who took socialism more as an adventure than other theories. But behind them there are some chameleon like members of the so-called intelligentsia whose tails seem to be tangled somewhere else. In the name of secularism or non-communalism, they have engaged themselves in casting smear upon mainly Islam. Especially in the last few years, they have been campaigning against Islam with a renewed vigor and have been shrewdly attacking whatever speaks of Islamic culture, tradition and traits. One clear example is that whereas no drama, cinema or documentary either made in Bangladesh or in India based on Hindu writers' work are seldom without the presentation of the temples and other Hindu rituals and Hindu deities before who the heroes ad heroines are seen prostrating in supplication to them. But those are never labeled as 'communal', but in a movie, drama etc where Islamic culture and tradition, and even a prayer-mat or mosque is shown, it will be called a 'communal' work inn no time. And for that reason one will hardly see any such movie, drama etc that reflect Islamic culture and tradition. Please don't misunderstand me, because the works of the Hindu, Christian or Buddhist writers must reveal the characters of their own community and there can be no objection whatsoever but then they are not regarded as 'communal' but to show a mosque, a devotee on a prayer-mat raising hands in supplication to Allah Almighty take no time to be labeled as communal. And comments and remarks leveled against Islam and its traits are the essential elements of 'progressiveness'. This seems very strange in a country where, it is claimed, 85% people are Muslims. On the contrary, in India Hindus are a vast majority. It's quite natural that temples and homes with deities, are shown in their movies, soap operas,literature and documentaries. In many movies Muslim characters have been lowed down to exalt Hindu culture, tradition and religion. But even then there are many movies that shows noble, honest and patriotic Muslim characters. This is no less appreciable than the exaltation of their own religion and culture. But they are never seen to have exalted a Muslim character in a movie degrading another of other religion, if it's not a story with a Muslim background. But what happens in Bangladesh? One Taslima degraded Islamic values and tradition and, may be, became a heroine. Salman Rushdie vilified Islam and its Holy Prophet and became a hero over-night. In Bagladesh many secular educated personalities criticize Islam without having any in-depth knowledge of the Holy Qur'an and Hadith. Most tragically they have grown aspersion to Islam though they bear Muslim names and their parents were said to be Muslims. Moreover, they have never given reason enough to justify that Islam is a regressive, ancient and backward-looking out-of-date religion. They've chosen the most shortcut way to expose themselves as 'progressive' just by calling Islam a violent, aggressive and out-of-date religion. It's also very, very shocking how so-called Islamist parties fight one another like a particular species. While none of them disagree that Allah Almighty, His Words (the Holy Qur'an), His Prophet, Kalema (faith), the Quiblah - all are one and unique,they pick a quarrel over trivial things. Without striving to go into research work on how Islamic laws and dictates could bring peace and harmony among the people of different faiths, they are engaged in fighting for mundane comfort and power. The terrible crimes and vices such as murder, rape, kidnapping, plundering, grabbing, extortion, misappropriation of public money and trust that have gripped our society could be effectively checked had there been Islamic laws and order in force. Remember ex-President Clinton's speech to rein in HIV AIDS etc? He stressed on the need for religious values and tradition to put effective check on those dreadful disease. Even today, many including the top bosses in the govt have raised their voices to give capital punishment for rape and murder. But no. They are engaged in their own mundane business. Do they not see that the enemy bombs never discriminate between Sunnis and Shi'as, between Salafis and Ahle Hadith and so on? They should not forget that when Allah Almighty's 'faisala' will come, they would have no excuses. In actuality they are no less responsible for the division and strife among Muslims than those preaching so-called secularism. May Allah save us from the hypocrites.

What a 'CRAZE'!

The craze and enthusiasm manifest in the huge gathering at Shahbagh Square both raises high hopes about our new generation and also disappoints us at their very short-sighted and ill-designed and incomplete demand. What do they want? Only hanging by the neck till death a few 'war-criminals' who's almost reached their last destination with trembling voice, shaky hands and boggled minds ? Is that all? No other demand? No demand for justice for the gruesome murder of Sagar-Runi, Biswajit, almost regular rape 'n murder of even minor children, campus violence with animal instinct, dismemberment of limbs of fellow students &c &c? No grudge against the monumental Hallmark, Destiny, share market and the Padma Bridge scam - the nightmare of millions including the 40/45 million people of the south-west region of Bangladesh? No demand for employment opportunities of a few million college & varsity graduates? No demand for eradicating rampant corruption, nasty politicization of the pillars of the state? What a misguided and manipulated 'movement' designed by very, very shrewd schemers indeed! No words to describe my feelings. Really!

Irresistible Corruption

One pertinent question is: if the the 'fence' itself destroys the crop, who can resist? The same thing is hapening here in Bangladesh. The agencies that are supposed to check and eliminate corruption, are themselves its enthusiastic patrons. They have either been maimed by the govt or they are topped by spineless bootlickers of their 'employer'. Just think about the Padma Bridge Scam. What a unique role is our tooth-&-clawless ACC doing. Once they are awarding certificate to those against who 'sufficient' evidence has been found. Besides, those implicated in corruption charges could not give any explanation why the evaluation committee was dissolved and reconstituted four times. Obviously, the WB expert team has tighten its jaw to grab the ring leader and his cohorts. We hope that the WB for the sake of both their integrity and the well-being of the people of this country will not loosen its grip and bring to book the culprits who have been sucking blood of the poor but hardworking people of this country. May the blood-suckers be properly punished by Almighty Allah. Amen.

Democracy - Bangladesh Style

Democracy - Bangladesh Style The over-overdue council of one of the two large parties passed away. The president of the party was enthroned for the 7th time in the absence of any contestant. How could one dare to? Had there been any to venture for that, there was a certainty that he/she would've been expelled from the party. Dissent in the party has never been viewed positively as many of the veteran's fate showed. Besides, presidents, secretaries etc of the district, thana and union levels, as we've learned, will also be selected by the supremo of the party.This is how 'democracy' is being cultured here in Bangladesh. Of course, this party is not the only one. Another big party's history is also the same. No dissension is allowed. Was Hitler or Mussolini or Stalin more dictator? Who knows. But the dictatorship that is being practiced here in the name of democracy has almost strangulated us common people who have 'democracy' for only one day, and that's on the day of election. Thank God!

Alas Our Golden Bangla!

Alas,our Sonar Bangla (golden Bengal)!! This country is heading towards a very bleak but chaotic future for the two Amazons that are dictating things here. It seems there's no masculine figure who could hold the rein of these two warring ladies. Devoid of any vision for future and the future generation, they are playing with the destiny of the nation which could, had there been a leader such as Dr. Mahathir or Mr. Lee, make galloping development because there are immense potentialities here. Compared with Singapore, in spite of having a hundred times more tourist spots in the Chittagong Division alone, Bangladesh has, with her failed leaders, failed to build up a tourism network that could be a most vital foreign exchange earning sector. But rampant corruption i every sector has been eating into the core of life of the nation and despite numerous promises by both of them no sign of improvement is in sight. The nation including its mentors and well-wishers are foreseeing a dismal picture of the future should these two warring ladies persist in their mindless sojourn. And we people have become hostages and just dumb watchers. Alas!

My Recent Most Memorable Moments

When we learnt my two sons were coming home almost at the same time - one on the 11th and the other on the 12th December last - we were overjoyed. We were more than overjoyed in the expectation of our little grandson Reehan's coming. When on the scheduled date they arrived our joy went on multiplying. We were ecstatic when we saw our 'heart' Reehan thru' the glass fencing at the airport. Our joys knew no bounds when I took Reehan in my lap. That was perhaps the happiest moment I had ever experienced.
My youngest son Arshad and our daughter-in-law Pamela left for Canada on the 1st January,'12 last leaving his sad parents behind. We had nothing to do to keep them back. But the saddest moment came when we had to bid farewell to my second son Sajjad and his wife along with our heart of hearts, our dearest grandson, Reehan. He was only eighteenth months' old and learnt to utter 'dada, dadu, baba, nanu' etc when the moment of his departure arrived. We all lost control over ourselves. We felt our hearts squeezed and torn away from us. I never felt so helpless and bereaved that words cannot describe. At the airport he came in his mother's lap to see us off on the other side of the glass fence. I put my palm on the glass and he too put his just on the opposite. He smiled all the while and I felt my heart being torn away. Oh, what a sad and tragic moment it was. After custms & immigration formalities he again came in his mother's lap and we had a chance to take him in our lap. He fondled me keeping his cheek against mine. How sweet and cute he was! Then leaving us in a flood of tears he left with his parents. But again he descended from his mother's lap and came a few steps towards us, gave us a smile and reluctantly taken up by his dad, proceeded towards the passengers lounge. Ah, what a heavenly pleasure did he plunge us in with his arrival and what an ocean of sadness he left us in! Pray, may Allah Almighty protect him and bestow on him all the virtues and wisdom so that he may grow up to be our pride and honour.
However, seeing them off at the airport we came back home. But all the while his call 'dadu, dadu' resonated in my ears and everywhere his tiny hands touching, slapping and moving, as if, started appearing before my eyes. His cuddly face and gaits inebriated me so much that words cannot describe. I felt as if I had lost every bit of joy of life. His departure tore my heart to pieces and as very unusual of me, I found my eyes in tears so frequently that even his grandma' - my wife - began to console me. I don't know why I felt so deeply for him. Is it because I was with him just after his birth in the Stoufeville Hospital, Markham where he was born and brought him home? Thereafter, we spent almost half a year with him. After he was a bit handy, I used to stroll across the drawing room taking him in my lap, fondled and played with him. Sometimes he smiled and chuckled making us even happier and contented. The attachment was so deep that we felt so sad to get back to Bangladesh leaving him behind. But this time the bereavement seemed much more painful and I don't know how long it will take to recompose myself. But I have to accept the reality after all. And this is the way of life. Nothing is permanent and neither are we. Some day I also shall disappear from the face of the earth; but all my blessings and best wishes will always be with him and my children. May Allah Almighty grant them a happy, contented and successful life. Amin.

S.Ali's Monologue

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