Saving
Mostakina
I've just read the story about the little girl that
was abused by a medical doctor.
I am a Sierra Leonean journalist in London UK. I suggest
that in future, you open an appeal for people in such
situations.
There are millions of good hearted people around the
world that are ready to assist especially children
faced with such situations.
Sylvester Suaray, London
Muslim
Militancy
The growing militancy conducted by the Islamic outfits
in Bangladesh is becoming a serious concern affecting
the peace and integrity of our nation. The recent
emergence of Bangla Bhai (JMJB) is a frightening example.
This particular Islamic outfit as per the press reports
is getting the blessings of influential people in
that particular area -- to the extent that they were
virtually running a parallel administration of their
own in the presence of the police and others. Bangladesh
has not yet declared itself an Islamic Republic, and
still remains a People's Republic so how have these
Mullahs become so powerful and do whatever they want
in the name of saving Islam? We do not want to see
Bangladesh turning into another Afghanistan because
of Muslim fanatics. I have a request to these Mullahs:
please let Islam and its ideology remain in the axis
of religion and don't mix it with politics. Bangladesh
was a much better country when terrorism in the name
of Islam did not exist. The government should immediately
disband all military Islamic outfits irrespective
of their party and affiliation. The government should
also bring those influential people, who are out to
dislodge the government by wielding their unlawful
power, to justice.
Humayun Hyder, On Email
Shocking
I offer my congratulations for the timely cover on
the treatment of domestic help. We cannot let these
ruthless practices go on. It's so important that all
of us take notice of this issue. We all know about
this but somehow feel embarrassed to talk about it.
This is something that needs to be changed and our
starting point should be within our own family. This
is something that really hit me when I came abroad
and saw what it means to have respect for every human
soul, irrespective of there race, culture and social
status. Obviously there is discrimination but at least
minorities and underprivileged people have a say.
When I think about it maids in our country get this
treatment for very trivial reasons. Think of the treatment
they receive in comparison: scolding, beating, mental
torture. This is so inhuman -- just because they don't
have any other options, we treat them badly. I cannot
help feeling helpless and sorry for these people.
Iftekhar Hossain, London. UK
One
Off
I 'd like to thank SWM for publishing such a nice,
touching story "Of Abdul Hamid and Ranga Mia"
in the issue of May 14th. Please convey my gratitude
to the writer Mr. Aly Zaker. I 'd like to thank him
personally.
Syed Faisal Hasan, New Zealand
Improving
English is Important
Two of the readers of SWM have so far expressed affinity
towards improving their English. I am also an avid
reader of SWM and want to express my interest in doing
the same, through an English section of SWM. It is
clear that to gain command over a language vocabulary
is very important. At the same time, grammatical,
structural and idiomatic parts are also very necessary
to know any language fluently. Since English is not
our mother tongue, it would be helpful for us, the
readers of SWM, if the editor takes this issue into
consideration and makes the necessary arrangements
to allot at least one page for new English learners
in the Magazine regularly.
Kamal Uddin Azad Khokan, Chittagong
What
Does a Hartal Mean?
As
far as I know, a hartal means an organised or concerted
closing of shops and offices as a mark of protest
against a political situation or as an act of mourning
in our subcontinent. What I fail to understand is
how can a hartal stop vehicles from transporting or
travelling from one place to another? Besides, a hartal
can give a nation nothing more than losses in every
aspect. Researchers and parliamentarians in our country
sould install or establish a permanent act or law
as to how a hartal should be conducted. All pros and
cons should be included in this enactment. There must
be a clear definition of what a hartal entails and
this should be followed strictly in our nation. Otherwise
the nation and country will not be able to progress
further.
Chemon
Ara Begum Munni, Chittagong