About "Freedom of belief in Islam"

I express my thanks to the writer for such a thoughtful article as well as you for publishing that. There are several fields in which Islam is greatly misunderstood. One of which is freedom of belief. The writer has nicely clarified the fact before us. She distinguished between punishable and non punishable apostasy and has quoted examples from history. She has also mentioned the reasons of misunderstanding and at finally suggested what is to be done . We expect more articles on such topics.

A Nesa

On e-mail

Imperialist conspiracy

There is no doubt that the culprits behind the recent bombing must be

found and be given exemplary punishment. But the question is -will it really happen? The answer is "No." A series of bomb blasts have taken place around the country recently in places like cinema halls, mazars, political rallies etc. Countries like the uS are very worried about the latest developments in our country.

However, I believe that uS policy on international terrorism is responsible for further spread of the malady.

Faizur

Mirpur, Dhaka

Vanishing parks

Life in Dhaka is becoming more hectic day by day and open spaces are being considered a luxury. The residents are always on the lookout for free open spaces to get away from the din and bustle and relax a bit. Though such spaces are rare, their availability is important in

maintaining a proper balance of life in the city.

Like most of the areas of the city, there has been scarcity of parks for the residents of Gulshan. The large public park in front of the National Shooting Club in Gulshan-1 has been converted into a sweepers colony to accommodate several hundred families. Those people do not have proper access to safe water and sanitation facilities. As a result, the illegal occupants have constructed several dozens of open-air latrines by the side of the Gulshan Lake. The latrines have become a serious threat to public health for the city inhabitants. The authorities are yet to act against this illegal move.

Dhaka is progressively converting itself to a jungle of concrete and garbage. The suffocated residents of this overpopulated city will have no place to have some fresh air to breath if timely and appropriate

actions are not taken to save the parks.

Mozibur Rahman

Gulshan, Dhaka

Death in RAB custody

It is mysterious that 11 persons have so far died in crossfire after RAB had taken criminals into custody (DS September 7). As a citizen, I have doubt about the real nature of such deaths! I think important clues about their crimes, their godfathers as well as illegal arms could be found if they were not killed. Why is RAB not careful in dealing with the criminals? What's their responsibility? To whom are these RAB personnel accountable?

MS uddin

Kyoto, Japan

We are so incapable!

A couple of months back Shah

Amanat International Airport at Chittagong was handed over to a small private airlines of Thailand (Phuket Air Ltd.) for its management. Recently, advertisement appeared in the national dailies inviting international tenders for leasing out China-Bangladesh Friendship International Conference Hall ( Bangabandhu Int. Conference Hall) at Sher-e- Bangla Nagar to private firm(s) for its management. Toll collection of some modern highway bridges has already been leased out to foreign companies in Bangladesh. I simply wonder and feel shocked as a citizen of an independent country that are we so incapable/ incompe-tent/ bankrupt that our private companies/ government agencies cannot run an airport, or a conference hall, or a bridge. Where are we heading for with such incompetence as a

nation? Are we really not competent to govern ourselves?

Prof SAM

Monipuripara, Dhaka

Pensioners Savings Scheme

As promised in the last budget the government has finally introduced pensioners saving scheme but the eligibility conditions laid down have almost excluded the pensioners of the armed forces from the benefit of the scheme. For example, to be eligible a pensioner must be minimum 55 years of age. How many Armed Forces retirees will fulfil this condition ? Because a Major General retires at the age of 55 years. The number of major-generals and equivalent are extremely limited. The bulk of three services officers retire well below this age. So in order to be eligible they have to wait for at least 4 to 5 years after retire-

ment. The second condition of eligibility is that a retiree must have served twenty years. In the case of the armed forces many earn pension and retire before serving twenty years.

Therefore, I request that the rules of eligibility may be modified to remove all discriminations as to the length of service and age. A person who has earned pension irrespective of his length of service and age should be eligible. Those retiring voluntarily may be excluded. unless this is done a vast majority of military pensioners will remain out of the benefit of this scheme.

Major QS Ahmed psc, (retd) Boro Bagh, Mirpur, Dhaka

Nizami's stand

A few days ago, Industries Minister Mr. Nizami organised a press conference. I want to draw the attention of conscious people of our country

to some of his remarks. First, he commented that he feels safe in this country. That is very natural. Only they can feel safe in this Death ,alley. They are exempted from any type of legal action by this government. Secondly, and most importantly, though he appealed to everyone not to blame anybody before investigation is complete, he blamed Partho Saha for issuing an email threat, though the police of their government are yet to find anything against him. All the progovernment newspapers are publishing various reports in their conscious effort to make Partho a villain.

I hope I am wrong, but I am afraid we are watching a prospective life being ruined to safeguard the booming fundamentalism in our country.

Tareq

Chittagong