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To The Editor
Hijri New Year
The Hijri year 1429 came to an end and the new Hijri year 1430 has begun. A consensus on thebeginning and ending of Lunar Months or Year is yet to be arrived.
Three to four types of Hijri calendars are being followed in different countries of the world. As such new Hijri year begins differently on 3 to 4 days worldwide, whereas, a single Gregorian/Christian/ solar calendar is being followed by all. Due to different ; ways of calculating lunar months, adoption of a single Hijri calendar could not be made possible as yet.
' As per information received from Internet, four states i.e Bangladesh, Pakistan, Oman & Morocco {and two non-Muslim states
i.e. India and TYinidad, start Lunar month by sighting the ' new moon with bare eyes according to the Hadith of Saom (fasting). Fifty-three Muslim countries and rest of, the world prepare Hijri calendar by adopting various types of calculations, and follow those. Due to this, we are not getting a single Lunar calendar to start Hijri new year simultaneously. But it is possible to prepare the same on the basis of the Holy Quran, Sunnah & astronomical science.
The Hadith of Saom tells us how we will keep fasting during the month of Ramadan. In this Hadith, it has not been said as to how 12 (twelve) lunar months can be deter-' mined. We, therefore, can say that the Prophet (Pbuh) did not give us any permission to count 12 (twelve) Lunar months with the help of Hadith of Saom. We have no knowledge of any other Hadith, by which we can start or count 12 (twelve) Lunar months.
Now the question arises, as to how we shall count 12 (twelve) Lunar months? Sura Bakara, Ayat-189 (pan) says: "They ask you about new moons. Tell them, these are the starters of times (12 months) for mankind and for (determining date of) Hajj. Allah, here directed mankind • to start (twelve) months with the help of (twelve) new moons. Once the month starts, 9th Zilhajj i.e. the day of Hajj can be fixed up. The Maidan (field) ofArafatisonly one. So, the day/date for Hajj will also be one for the Muslims.
The intent of Almighty Allah in asking mankind to start 12 (twelve) Lunar months with 12 (twelve) new moons is that there will be a single Hijri calendar throughout the wo rid. From the mean-* ing of Ayat- 185, of Surah Bakara, it is well understood that the number of days in the particular month of Ramadan (Ash Shahra) will be the same worldwide without any variation anywhere.
In Surah Tawba, Ayat-36,
Allah the Merciful has said that from Uie time of creation of skies and earth, the number of months are 12 (twelve) as per His law. Again, a day and a night together constitute one full day of 24 hours.
The instruction to perform five-waqt salat (prayer) in a day has been narrated in many Ayats of the Holy Quran. As such, the Holy Quran, tells mankind to follow a single Hijri calendar worldwide. In spite of that we do not try to follow a single Hijri calendar, rather engage ourselves in serious Fetnas (indiscipline), on various pretexts.
1st Muharram of Hijri 1430 coincided with Sunday, the 28th December 2008 as per my calculation made on the basis of Astronomy and the new moon sighting. GMT calendar also coincides with it. But as per North American Feqah Council'. IDL (International Dateline) and 'Ummul Kura' (organisation for moon sighting in KSA), 1st Muharram, 1430 began on Monday the 29th December, 2008. Source: Internet, whereas, in Bangladesh, the 1st Muharram has been shown in the calendar as Tuesday the 30th December 2008. subject »to moon-sighting.
Under die circumstances, we could observe Hijri New Year's Day on the 29th December, 2008 following Saudi Arabia, until we get a Unified World Hijri Calendar as per Quranic law.
By this way we shall not achieve full perfection, but our mistakes will come down to a bare minimum level. Let Allah grant us sahih (proper) understanding and show us the correct path.
Engr. Mohammad Enamul Huq
Author of
“The Lunar Month"
"Root cause of terrorism"
Ref:- India should endeavour to solve Kashmir and Israel / Palestine problem in true spirit of secularism with Obama in White House.
By this time the government of India must have realized (after misleading vociferous support of world community in the aftermath of November 26, 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack has fizzled out as is evident from December 23, 2008 media coverage of statements of Interpol Chief and White House spokesman) that India's claim - that "Root cause of terrorism" doctrine has become irrelevant in view of post 9/11 world community's stand where "terrorism of every type" is to be condemned and fought irrespective of its root causes - is merely an exercise in delusion.
India is gradually and
painfully realizing that Obama's threat of first solving Kashmir problem before India is allowed to say anything against Pakistan is not a mere rhetoric but an assertion of "Root cause of terrorism" doctrine and India will have to gird itself up for this challenge.
But India cannot face this challenge by merely trying either to shelve or to solve the Kashmir problem. India will have to endeavour to also contribute as a member of world community (especially in this age of globalisation) to solve the chronic Israel/Palestine problem which has gravely affected the entire world and also the neighbourhood of India including Afghanistan, Iraq war (with its implications also in the Kashmir problem and terrorismin India).
For this India may do the following:-
(1)- As for the Kashmir solution, India may best leave it to the political acumen of Obama to solve this problem. (2)- For resolving the Israel / Palestine issue—
(i)- Being a secular country India should ask the world and especially the Christian world and the USA/UK and its allies (who have unnecessarily created this conflict by assuming that the followers of two religions cannot live peace-
fully in one county) that if Hindus and Muslims are expected to live together peacefully and cordially in India, then why Jews and Muslims cannot live together in one country.
(ii)- India should further ask the world community why Jews and Muslims are being forced to live separately in two countries (Israel for Jews and Palestine for Muslims).
(iii)- India should not only press this line of argument at all international forums and do vigorous canvassing & campaigning to propagate this line of argument in favour of genuine secularism but should also endeavour so that the world community ensure that Jews and Muslims live in one country Israel - Palestine.
India has to realize that unless India shows mirror to the Christian world and the USA and its allies regarding their hypocrisy and lack of integrity about secularism, India and the world at large can neither be free from terrorism, nor from many other problems being faced by South Asia.
Fortunately, Obama seems to be a man of integrity and if India conducts this campaign for genuine secularism wisely then it can be proud of immensely contributing to solving a complex problem being faced by mankind, namely the Israel /Palestine dispute.
Hem Raj Jain
Mahavirdham, Shri Mahavirji Rajasthan, India
Appalling crime and lengthy trial
I am relieved that, at long last, those guilty of the appalling crime against the British envoy in May 2004 have been brought before a judge who confirmed their guilt though they are expected to appeal.
As a British citizen, doing my best to serve Bangladesh, I felt shocked, insulted, angry and ashamed when 'my' High Commissioner, Anwar
Choudhury, had a bomb thrown at him. What could have been going on in the heads of those who planned to take his life, on his 18th day at work, while he was visiting a religious shrine on his way to his birthplace? What an honour it was for Bangladesh that the British government had chosen to appoint, as its envoy here, one who was Bangladeshi by race and birth - and Muslim by faith. How many countries send, as their envoy, someone from a minority race and faith, whom they are totally confident will represent their country with integrity and skill? How much honour and respect he deserved, especially coming from a country whose donations to Bangladesh are way ahead of all others!
It was only by the grace of God that the bomb bounced off him and killed three other poor innocent people and wounded around 70 others. If he had been killed, it would have made headline news all over the world and brought the name of Bangladesh into the gutter.
My sense of shame continued when it was obvious that the government of the time could have prosecuted the guilty parties but, as the evidence now suggests, had come to some sort of arrangement to shield those who were guilty, presumably because the offence was not considered serious....the fact that it has taken four and a half years to produce a verdict is nothing to be proud about.
Now the matter has been settled, I hope we can all put our feelings to rest but never let it be forgotten that those who represent their countries in Bangladesh are doing their best to care for all the people of this dear country when, apparently, some people who call themselves Bangladeshis only care for those made in their own image and consider the rest'fair game'.
Angela Robinson Gulshan, Dhaka
Corruption
The Anti Corruption Commission is reported to have identified a sensational scam with Siemens and transfer of 11.75 million taka to Singapore by the BNP chairperson's son Arafat Rahman Koko.
It is a matter of time only that the people of this country will definitely stand united against such corruption and build a better Bangladesh in future. Because, the time has come for a change and a change for a better life.
Md.ShahjahanMia Development Professional Sharmasj id Road Dhaka
Banking sector
The excellent performances by the banking sector in Bangladesh are really laudable. No doubt the sectors create business friendly environment for the economy as well as heavy employment opportunities for the people looking for jobs. Lately, fresh graduates see banking career as their dream area, thanks to the banks offering lucrative salaries, albeit job seekers face competitive tests like the admission test of IBA for getting the job.
No matter how much difficulty the threshold candidates face to get the jobs, still it is a good practice, at least, to recruit skilled and qualified employees for the company. We really love to appreciate the recruitment process. But it is a matter of pity that a few banks follow discriminatory policies, like not allowing non-Muslim candidates to apply for a job.
The Bangladesh Bank, as the watchdog body, should look into the matter. After all, nobody should be discriminated against.
Farhad Kabir (Aabir) BBAflOth batch) University of Dhaka
Our philosophy
If we sit on a chair and think a bit about ourselves, it'll be clear that we're always in a hurry, looking for money, thinking how to get more money etc. An uneducated rickshaw puller starts his days going here and there looking for passengers to earn money. A govt, worker, no matter whether he is a clerk or an officer, works in an office and get their salaries by the end of the month. A highly paid private office worker leads the life of a machine in search of money. So every one of us is living a life where everything is for money! Even our students, from a very early age, are preparing themselves to be eligible to earn money. They're studying not to gather knowledge but for earning money in future! Is there anything else in our lives except money?
Can't we th ink differently?
Ashik Istiak On e-mail
Dispensation of justice
The judicial department is the last hope of the people. There is an aphorism that money buys justice. This is not totally false, as any sensible and conscious citizen can understand the difference in application of law in case of an ordinary citizen and a so-called VIP. Why such discrimination? The 1861 police regulation act formulated by the then British government is still being applied in our context, though the rules are obsolete and contradictory to many human rights issues, but they are not being changed or reformed, as the rules are necessary to protect the interest ofour ruling class.
Now let's look at the way they function. The people who are involved in the judicial department claim themselves innocent, saying that they just only do the work as prescribed by the laws passed by our parliament The legislators who make the laws never risk hurting their own interest. Now come to the people who deliver justice. It is mentioned in the TI's report of 2004 that police and the lower courts are the most corrupt departments. Despite receiving this report one can see the light of hope as there is the higher judiciary which is supposed to ensure the constitutional rights of a citizen fairly and neutrally. But here also I am disappointed. Here the lawyers' fees are too much and far beyond the capacity of an ordinary citizens.
Justice, as we understand, does not yet exist in our society. The rich have a marked advantageover the poor! Anisur Rahman
A freelance columnist
Crisis in Guinea
Despite the fact that African nations are enriched with natural minerals it is sad to see that still most of the people of the African continent live below poverty line. Guinea is a prime example of this. Most Guineans live in poverty, even though the country is the world's top exporter of aluminium ore bauxite. While the people of the African nations suffer, the countries who buy these minerals enjoy lavish lifestyles. Recently, a coup occurred in Guinea by the country's young army officers after the death of its long time dictator Lansana Conte died.
The coup j led by its appointed president, Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara, now the country's de facto leader,
has promised to hold elections in 2010 and improve living standards. While thousands of Guineans acclaimed junta leader Camara, the United States, the European Union and the African Union have all condemned the coup. If the USA and its Western allies think that as democracy is suitable for them, so it should be all around the globe, then they are wrong. The Guinea army staged the coup in order to avoid bloodshed and they have clarified that by 2010 the election will beheld.
So why are the USA and its western allies panicking? MinhajAhmed Uttara, Dhaka
Teachers
There is a popular Chinese saying-
“If you plan for a year , sow a seed.
If you plan for a decade, plant a plant.
If you plan for a century, teach the people".
Teaching is both a science and an art. The science is based on psychological research that identifies causeeffect relationship between teaching and learning
The art is how those relationships are implemented in successful and artistic teaching. Teaching in Kindergarten, school, colleges or universities or anywhere, may be in auto shop manifests the same elements of instructional activities. Teachers need to learn the science of pedagogy.
Teaching Excellency is not a genetically endowed power but a result of rigorous study and inspired performance. Teachers are not bom but made.
Good teachers know that good teaching is really about caring and sharing; the capacity to accept, understand, and appreciate students on their terms and through their world; making students fee! good about themselves; having positive attitudes, and setting achievement goals; and getting all fired up with the enthusiasm and a cheerful presence.
There may be too few great teachers in the world. Great teachers are great artists. Teaching is probably the greatest of arts because the medium is the human mind and spirit in teaching. As a teacher you should begin to develop a future image of yourself as a great teacher, a new positive, compelling and exciting image. Then fall in love with this image, your unique future image. You must become a great teacher. That might be a great thing of course.
Iqbal Khan
Teacher of English Birshretha Munshi Abdur Rouf Rifles College Dhaka
Swimming
" Learn swimming, save life" -- No , this is not an advertisement of a Swimming Training Academy. Actually, this is a universal truth.
A man who does not know how to swim can understand its utilities when he falls down in water. Ninety-nine percent of city bound children in our riverine country do not know how to swim. Class, pressure of study, idleness etc are the main obstacles to learning howto swim.
As a result, they are at risk We should think about the matter in all seriousness.
Aminul Islam Dhali North Mugdapara Dhaka