***Letters for publication in these columns should be addressed to the Editor and legibly written or typed with double space. For reasons of space, short letters are preferred, and all are subject to editing and cuts. Pseudonyms are accepted. However, all communications must bear the writer's real name, signature and address

Kurdish tragedy

Sir, For the last few weeks we have been observing almost dally on BTV and on pages of different local newspapers one of the saddest tragedies in recent years: thousands of Kurdish refugees suffering hundreds of calamities all due to their voice — against the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein who completely violated all norms of human rights.

The saddest part of this tragedy is the indifference of Muslim leaders to the need of these people who nowadays are badly treated I and insulted even by some foreign soldiers.

For instance throwing breads, biscuits etc. to them in a very odd manner could be controlled and things could be distributed in better ways.

it is a matter of regret that still many of the Muslim countries are not taking any effective step to

help solve their brothers' and sisters’ miseries. Hundreds of helpless Kurds are dying everyday due to starvation, epidemic and other sorts of suffering.

In this context I would like to request all Muslim leaders to come forward with all their means which have been given by the Almighty Allah to help their needy brothers and sisters, finally ending their sub-human conditions.

S. Rahim Ashnakhah. Dhanmondl, Dhaka

“Shaheed”

Sir, My attention has been drawn to a letter of Al-HaJ S.M. Khalid Chowdhury which appeared in your paper on April 20,1991 under the heading "Applicability of Shaheed."

Referring to the pronouncement made by the leader of the Opposition Sheikh Haslna about the applicability of the term Shaheed' to communities

other than Muslims, the letter writer sought expert opinion on the issue.

Well, I am not a doctor of religion but with my limited knowledge, I can safely say that Sheikh Hasina's remark was correct In the light of Islamic theology.

Let us see whom can we call 'Shaheed'? Allah says in the Holy Quran — "And do not speak of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead; nay, (they are) alive, but you do not perceive" (Al-Quran : 2:154). So. these are the people whom we call Shaheed. We can of course get some more ex planation of this term from the sayings of the Holy Prophet (SM) — "Whoever fights in defence of his person and is killed, is a martyr, whoever fights in defence of his family and is killed, is a martyr, whoever fights in defence of his property and is killed, for the cause of Allah is a mar-tyr-’

In Islam, Allah has given a special status to the Muslims who will sacrifice their lives in the way of Allah. The way of Allah on this earth for a Muslim starts from his/her birth and ends at death. A Muslim performs all his

acts in the name of Allah. A true Muslim is a true servant oi Allah, he performs what Allah has prescribed and avoids what Allah has forbidden. Hence, a Muslim Is supposed to do everything on the will of Allah. And Allah has clearly mentioned in his Holy Book and through the Holy Prophet (SM). how a Muslim should live on this earth. For instance, the term 'Jihad' refers to using one's utmost power to resist evil for establishing truth over falsehood. And one who dies in Jihad, receives the status of Shaheed. And Shaheed is a special status given by Allah the Almighty to those Muslims who would embrace martyrdom while fighting against oppression. falsehood, injustice etc. in the way of Allah. For example, we can surely call those Muslim brothers of ours who sacrificed their lives during our language movement as Shaheeds because they fought for justice and In the order of Allah because Allah has given the right to speech in one’s native language. As such, those who sacrificed their lives during our war qf liberation are also Shaheeds as well as those during the last mass

movement against autocracy.

In conclusion. I would like to say that the term Shaheed' is applicable only to Muslims because Muslims do what Allah asked them to do keeping absolute faith in the Almighty Allah and His Holy Prophet (SM).

M. Zahldul Haque Assistant Professor, Bangladesh Agricultural College. Dhaka-1207.

Kuwait’s crude outlook

Sir. Kuwait has been liberated after seven months of Iraqi occupation through an all-out war of 41 days between US-led coalition forces and Iraqi forces The outcome of this crisis is a gainful triumph for UNO that authorised states "to use all necessary means* against Iraq unless it withdrew from Kuwait on or before January 15. 1991 (Resolution 678).

The 15-member UN Security Council adopted 12 resolutions on Kuwait Issue ever since Iraq's invasion of this oil-rich state on the I*ersian Gulf and subse quent annexation as a province. But. right or wrong. Iraq's version of

"might Is right" has eventually been overrun by UNO's.

However, the bimodal diplomatic manoeuvres of USSR as well as global conscience substantially contributed to averting the apprehended World War III. so did the reasonably flexible diplomatic positions ref Muslim countries that safeguarded holy areas with their troops.

Now that the aspired reality has been achieved at a considerable coat, the whole affair will have been an excellent lesson for all the virtually defenseless nations having such vulnerability to external threats, no matter what their locations are.

Likewise, the gravity of this crisis must be an out-' standing education for UNO as for as enforcement of its resolutions are concerned, and the facts of the matter should set the record straight in the added history of modem civilization when born-again Kuwait laces the inflicted do lt-all over-agaln condition for herself providing an impe tus to the survival struggles of less fortunate nations. M. Rahman Zila School Road Mymenstngh 2200.