Speaker Humayun Rashid Choudhury yesterday advised the MPs to offer Maghreb prayers before drafting a resolution condemning publication of a blasphemous poster against Islam.

"We need the blessings of Allah for drafting the resolution with appropriate words." he told the MPs who were nominated for drafting the resolution In his chamber.

The Speaker s proposal for a meeUng of the representatives of the Awami League and the BNP and the Jatiya Party at his chamber during the Maghreb recess to draft a resolution condemning the Zionist conspiracy to defame Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (SM) pleased the lawmakers. debating on the issue in the House.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad Issued a statement on the matter but the minister was not heard clearly as he spoke at a distance from the microphone on his table. The papers he was holding in his hand also acted as a barrier.

At this stage several BNP deputies rose to advise the minister to go closer to his microphone. But the minister misunderstood the opposition members as Interrupting him. In a bld to communicate with the angry minister. Shamsul Islam showed the way of speaking in a

mock performance with his own microphone.

As Samad Azad was lingering his deliberation Shahldul Islam of BNP Jokingly said. "Let the statement be deemed to have been read (a practice in case of lengthy reply by the ministers during the question-hour)."

Later, another BNP legislator. KM Obaidur Rahman also demanded distribution of copies of the foreign minister's statement as most of the members could not hear him.

Awami League MP. Sharif Khasruzzaman. who Is quite active In the House, brought to the notice of Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Nasim that the telephone exchange in Lohagorha thana in his constituency was ineffective for a longtime.

In response, a smiling telecommunications minister commented. The telephone exchange cannot remain ineffective in the area of Sharif Khashruzzaman who is very active in the House. It will be turned active very soon."

In the absence of Kazi Sera-Jul Islam, two other members of the ruling party — Abdul Latif Mirza and Mohibur Rahman Manik — sent separate messages to the Speaker to move Islam's question.

However, Mirza withdrew from the race and requested the Chair to allow Manik to represent the absentee.

Giving the floor to Manik. Speaker Humayun Rashid Choudhury seemed happy as he pronounced: "He is my deshi bhai (from the same district)." Both the Speaker and Manik are from the greater Sylhet district.

Replying to Manik's question on development of telephone system in the greater Sylhet. the Telecommunications Minister smilingly said. "I'm ready to go for all-out development of telephone system in Sylhet if the Finance Minister. who also hails from the same area, sanctions adequate money."