::: Star Weekend Magazine :::

Voicebox

"Marhaba! Marhaba!"
Audience at a gathering of Islamic scholars
after Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's declaration to recognise Dawra degree of Qawami madrasa equivalent to master's degree in Islamic studies or Arabic literature. Marhaba is Congratulations in Arabic.

"I hope I will get the report in a day or two."
LUTFOZZAMAN BABAR
state minister for home affairs
two days after the Harkatul Jihad al Islami, a banned Islamist group, held a meeting in Dhaka

"Such terrible attack could not be carried out in broad daylight without the involvement of the prime minister, her son, state minister for home affairs and members of the intelligence agencies."
SHEIKH HASINA
Awami League chief
about the ghastly attack on an Awami League rally two years ago. Twenty-one people died in the grenade attack, while hundreds were injured.

"Obviously I want my stuff back. But I want Mac back more than anything. He is just a puppy."
ANDY van der MEYDE
football player
who was carjacked. The Everton winger has got his car and valuables back, but his pet dog has remained missing

"Sometimes the numbing effect of TV can be helpful. Especially if you're a kid being stuck with a needle at the hospital."
An Associated Press Report
Quoting an Italian researcher, the report says, “Especially disturbing to the author of the scientific study was that the cartoons were even more comforting than Mum”.

"Justice will prevail and I will be acquitted in all the cases if the trials are conducted neutrally."
HM ERSHAD
deposed president and leader of a faction of Jatya Party.
Ershad has a criminal record up his sleeve; he has already served prison sentences for corruption.

"The opposition would have scope to criticise the government for this verdict."
MOHAMMAD QAMARUZZAMAN
joint secretary general of the Jamaat-e-Islami
about the acquittal of Ershad in a graft case.

"This is our level and we have to admit that."
ASBAB ALI FOYAZ
coach, Bangladesh shooting team
about the country's lacklustre performance in the South Asian Games.

"The United States of America is engaged in a war against an extremist group of folks."
GEORGE W BUSH
president of the United States.

"I could not express myself on the day. So I have arranged another programme to inform you (journalists) what I want."
NASIR UDDIN BISWAS
Industrialist
who is seeking the nomination of the BNP in the next elections.
“I had planned a press conference on Friday; it was supposed to be held at Nasir Uddin Biswas auditorium at Allar Darga in Daulatpur. But lawmaker of the constituency Reza Ahmed Bachhu Mollah hijacked his programme and it was shifted to Daulatpur Shilpakala Academy," he says.

QUOTATIONS ARE TAKEN FROM DIFFERENT LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWSPAPERS.
Compiled by: AHMEDE HUSSAIN