NWDP and SBA's comments
I'm writing this letter to refute the misleading views expressed by Mr. Ahsan in this article, 'Bengali women, equal rights and obscuration' published in this paper on April 23. Mr. Ahsan has blamed the government for sending the draft women development policy to the ulema community for comments, and at the same time criticized the ulema without verifying whether they have done their job properly. Is it not desirable to make it sure that nothing in the policy is contradicting the provisions in the religion? In a veiled language, Mr. Ahsan has also held the religious clerics responsible for the backwardness of our women folk. His utterance that 'the ulema committee echoed primitive sentiments' is simply outrageous.
The rights provided by Islam to the women are clearly recorded in the Holy Quran and Hadith. No one is allowed to tamper with the same. Does Mr. Ahsan want a WDP even if it infringes on the basic tenets of our religious beliefs?
Attracted by the rights and dignity of women bestowed on women by Islam, a large number of women in Europe and North America embrace this religion every year, but our intellectuals are unable to behold the benevolence of Islam, because they have strayed away from the religion and their visions are blurred by the overwhelming western civilization. It is noticed that our elite do not miss any opportunity to belittle and ridicule anything that is connected with Islam. Our society runs according to the whims of the elite, not according to the wishes of the Mullahs.
The women of our country are progressing well, though slowly. There is no need to be over-sensitive about their rights when more than ninety percent people of the country are deprived of their basic human rights. Development of woman can be ensured without a policy that violates the religious provisions on this subject. The intellectuals have the choice whether to believe in and practise religion or not, but they don't have any right to hurt the feelings of the believers by making derogatory comments about others. The well-being of the Muslims depends on observance of their religion, not on blind imitation of the western ways.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments