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TO THE EDITOR
An Islamic American history
I read, with much pleasure, the article by Dr Liaquat Ali Khan in the DS of September 5, titled "An Islamic American History" concerning the present mullah of his mosque in Kansas. He told the story of how this black American had been born, having to endure white racism and then moved into the extremist black racism of the organisation The Nation of Islam, ie "all whites are evil and wicked." However, after 1975, the organisation changed to a more moderate stance. Through the proper study and experience of true Islam, his heart was changed and he now leads the Islamic Center of Topeka, Kansas "with an open and generous heart."
Those of us who know that much of what hits the headlines today, in the name of Islam, is but a distorted shadow of its true self, are longing for
those who call themselves "real" or "moderate" Muslims, to take a higher profile and be seen to be doing more to help their co-religionists to get out of the ditch that they have dug for themselves. May I make a modest suggestion?
I am reliably informed that some of the best new thinking in Islam, including by those who urge the 'opening of the gates of reason', is going on in English. Some of the Muslims who are now living overseas, benefiting from the kind of education offered, living in an environment that encourages creative thinking and refusing to demand the life of a ghetto in order to keep their identity are becoming scholars and thinkers. They are read all over the world - except of course, very widely anyway, in Bangladesh because of the low usage of English here.
Is it not possible to hasten the translation of some of these books into Bengali and a good translation at
that? I am not talking about the wilder extremes of "modern" scholarship. All religions, both major and minor, are suffering from the free-for-all of the wilder extremes of expression! But, surely, the world needs more attention given to the writings of genuine research and the kind of thinking that tries to apply all that is best in ones' religious tradition to the tough business of living, as a religious person, in the Millennium. Just focussing on the past and endlessly repeating our Good Books, can only get us so far. It is the application of the great truths of our faiths to the wounds of the world where the great gap lies. There is a chasm between belief and behaviour that needs a lot of hard work -- and the sooner the better.
Sobhan Chowdhury Lalmatia ,Dhaka
Beware of fast growth rate
China's fast growth rate is worrying the international economists and planners (BBC news item). In many instances, the heated economy causes burnouts, bringing in depression in the market, facing the misery of bailouts.
In Bangladesh, the growth rate of mobile telephones has been very high, as the public-controlled fixed-line telephone system utterly failed to cope with the huge demand in the market for many years. There appears to be a future in investment in the telecom markets.
On the other hand, high-rise buildings for residential flats and luxury shopping centers are also coming up fast in Dhaka (and some other major cities). The demand comes from a very limited rich clientele, while the huge percentage of middle class families cannot afford expensive flats for rent or purchase. Amongst those who have money, there are groups in grey areas, creating unstable founda-
tions.
The question, which naturally crop up is: Can the huge investments be recovered as per planned projections in a least-developed country such as Bangladesh? Islands of prosperity have to be viewed critically in societies where the general standard of living is low, and where the majority live around the poverty line, and almost one half of the population is illiterate. With absence of heavy industries, the rural agribusiness is the major sustainer of the economy, plus the garment exports and dollars earned abroad. Experts may throw some more light on the topic, for awareness and general knowledge, while the government regulations need the right tone through feedback systems to tackle sudden changes in the market. Even a highly developed nation like Japan had to pass through more than a decade of decline. Economic sine waves are very unpredictable; and slow lanes are observed in many countries.
A Husnain, Dhaka.
Managing committee of government high school
The government officers constitute the managing committee of government high schools where the Deputy Commissioner holds the post of president in an ex-officio status. I am not against the Deputy Commissioner holding the post of president. Moreover I think it benefits all concerned.
I t has been noticed that the other members of the managing committee are generally government officers like government engineers, civil surgeon etc. The irony is that, no one from the guardians is a member of the managing committee. I feel that representation of the guardians can benefit both the organisation & the students. In this connection I solicit immediate attention of all concerned to review the
issue of having guardians in the managing committee of the government high school.
Md Abu Taher Pubali Bank Ltd. Moulvibazar Branch, Moulvibazar.
The victims
—We deeply mourn for the victims and their families of the August 21 carnage. The September 1 issue of Daily Star has recorded the plight of the many injured who are still in need of medical attention due to hundreds of splinters in their arms, limbs, eyes and other parts of their body. That the hospitals have so far provided free medicare to these victims is to be appreciated. But more needs to be done, such as long-term treatment whereby the splinters can be taken out one by one. Many of these people were the sole earning members of their families. Some form of help
needs to be provided also. We appeal to the government to take up each individual case and arrange for their proper treatment in the country.
After all, the government is ultimately responsible for providing security at such a major gathering, including that of the leader of the opposition, particularly in the wake of attacks in Gazipur and Sylhet. The survivors of the latest disastrous and violent incident need the caring hand of the government now.
Professor Rafiqur Rahman Professor Haseena Khan Professor Zeba I Seraj Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology University of Dhaka.