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Liberalising alcohol policy
I am appalled at the naivety of opinions expressed by some of the contributors regarding the impact of alcohol.
A resident of the UK, I see at first hand the impact it has on the person, his families and society as a whole. Far from the benign environment of freedom, gaiety and prosperity that some of the readers imagine will flow from liberalising alcohol, it has been a serious cause for concern to British society for as long as I can remember. I will try to dispel some of the myths.
Firstly alcohol is a drug -make no mistake. While researchers have identified some benefits to the cardiovascular system, they come with attendant damage to the brain, kidney and liver (note the Qur'an says that alcohol has some good and some bad, but the bad outweighs the good). Alcohol is also addictive -- more so than drugs such as marijuana.
Alcohol abuse is a major cause of domestic violence, child abuse, break-up of families and financial ruin in this country. Alcohol addiction among teenagers is on the
rise, leading to truancy from school, petty crime and violence. The effect on society is manifold. Alcohol induced violence is a common occurence on British streets and at public events. The Police struggle to maintain order at weekends -- just imagine how Bangladesh's ill-equipped and ill-disciplined forces will fare. Nor is property safe -- a great deal of vandalism and petty crime can be traced to alcohol addiction. For thirty years British society have struggled with the curse of drink-driving (driving under the influence of alcohol). Every year, hundreds of people are killed on the roads by drunk drivers -- this in a country where driver training, road safety measures and emergency medical aid is infinitely superior to that in Bangladesh. Tens of millions of pounds are spent each year to discourage drink-driving, but the problem persists. While the Treasury does reap enormous revenues from alcohol, far more is spent in coping with the effects of alcohol -- maintaining order, clearing up after road accidents, treating the injured,
rehabilitating addicts and so on. The cost to individuals, families and society is incalculable. Britain struggles to cope with these challenges, Bangladesh will fail to do so. In the rush to modernise, many Bangladeshis seek to ape the ways of the West in the hope of appearing sophisticated and superior. Too often this is done at the superficial level -- by adopting Western clothes, music, fast food and alcohol. Sadly, this impresses no-one, least of all Westerners. Honour and dignity come from the confidence to retain all that is good in our own religion, culture and customs whilst being open to the more worthwhile and deeper aspects of world culture. This is what I strive to achieve -for myself and my family.
Raquib Shamsad, UK
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This is a response to Dr. Syed Nasrullah's letter published in The Daily Star. He wrote in favour of liberalising alcohol policy. I, being a Muslim, am completely against this notion. Bangladesh is a Muslim populated country and legalising anything forbidden in Islam will be a disgrace to our religion. Alcohol is harmful and that is
medically proven. An intoxicated person loses his conscious state and hence may cause a lot of accidents. If he is driving, while being intoxicated, there is a possibility that he will kill himself as well as others on the street.
In the Quran, Allah says that gambling and consuming alcohol are the works of Satan and also says that alcohol keeps a person away from his Lord's remembrance. It may be less harmful than other drugs, but it is also hazardous to health. Alcohol related crimes might increase if alcohol policy is liberalised. Instead of setting up breweries, the government can setup factories producing daily necessities and other useful things. That will also contribute to our economy and alleviate unemployment. If we claim ourselves to be Muslims, we are bound to stay within the limitations of our religion. If we try to legalise this Haram (forbidden) drink, then we may subject ourselves to Allah's wrath.
Sameer Ahmed Khan Mojlish
Dhanmondi, Dhaka