Letters
Mixing Religion with Politics
It is a well written essay. The writer has managed to do what few journalists do these days---present the readers with facts, not their biased personal opinions. I condemn those who are misusing the Holy Quran for political gains. Although it is disappointing to see the Awami League try to play the same religion card, the fact is as a political party they are not the ones who started it. Let us not forget that this country was founded on a secular constitution. And we know who all changed it. I have a question. When someone falsely calls you an atheist, what can you do to fight back? If religion continues to be misused by the political parties, the losers ultimately will be the people of Bangladesh. Just see what Pakistan, a country founded on the basis of religion has become— a failed state.
Mohammad Rezaul Kaim
Tongi, Dhaka
***
Photo: Palash Khan
The Power of Ballots
I was a bit disappointed to read this article. It reads more like an opinion piece at times than a well balanced analysis that is objective in its approach. I believe journalists have a responsibility to expose the groups and parties that started this madness of using religion to win votes by lying to the religious but moderate people of the country. Those who shed crocodile tears for the abuse of religion in today's politics but do not address why and how we got here are indirectly supporting the very elements responsible for this mess.
Tanzima Khan
Fokirarpool, Dhaka
***
(Misplaced) Pride and (Outdated) Prejudice
I want to thank the writer for such a well balanced article. The feature especially addresses the discriminations workers from the subcontinent face in Middle Eastern countries. I remember reading about a Bangladeshi woman who went to Saudi Arabia as a domestic worker and went through untold sufferings from the moment she set foot on Saudi soil. She was taken to a house and locked up. Several Saudi men raped her while she was kept in isolation for a month. Her passport was taken away. One day she escaped and with the help of a sympathetic official of the Bangladeshi consulate got an air ticket home. After coming back, she made a complaint to the government and some officials advised her not to 'talk too much about it.' She is not alone. Hundreds and thousands of hardworking workers who go to work in the Arab countries are treated inhumanly and are denied basic human rights.
Lalarukh Khan
Dubai, UAE
***
The Poetry in Women's Hair
Once again the writer has produced a fascinating piece. I love the Shayeri he cites to describe the beauty of women's hair. However, the writer seems to have forgotten to mention the aesthetics of the blonde hair of a woman. And how about the redheads? Talking about the redheads, I remember American actress Jamie Luner who said, “You can sleep with a blonde, you can sleep with a brunette, but you will never get any sleep with a redhead”!
Rabiul Alam
Sacramento, California, USA
***
Photo: Amran Hossain
Patriots in the Shadows
Daily Star deserves our deepest respect for honouring some unsung heroes of the liberation war. We want to see more articles like these in the Star magazine for promoting the spirit of the liberation war. In Jessore, there was a mentally ill woman who used to be seen roaming on the streets often being stoned and chased by children. During the liberation war, when some freedom fighters came to her house for help, she said, “I am a poor woman. I do not have any money or food. All I have is my two sons. Take them with you and train them to be freedom fighters.” Both sons died in the war. In post independence Bangladesh, her home on a small property was occupied by a local goon. Losing everything, she became a mental patient. When I think about her, I find it difficult to look at the mirror.
Khondokar Aminul Islam
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
***
It's not just a piece of paper; it's the writer's mind
It is a well written and well balanced feature. Writing is good for the soul. Through writing the writer not only tells a story, but also communicates with his inner self and gets to know himself.
A famous author once said, “Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It's about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.” Like in many countries, our schools, colleges and universities should start offering courses on creative writing.
Ahana Chowdhury
Baridhara, Dhaka
***
Introvert in Wonderland
I look forward to reading this writer's feature every Friday morning. I love the concluding sentence– “Politics or not, remember that there is no correlation between the most talkative person in the room and the best ideas.” I could not think of any better way to say that the most talkative person in the room is usually the dumbest one.
Khodeja Khanam
Azimpur, Dhaka
Photo: Palash Khan
The Power of Ballots
I was a bit disappointed to read this article. It reads more like an opinion piece at times than a well balanced analysis that is objective in its approach. I believe journalists have a responsibility to expose the groups and parties that started this madness of using religion to win votes by lying to the religious but moderate people of the country. Those who shed crocodile tears for the abuse of religion in today's politics but do not address why and how we got here are indirectly supporting the very elements responsible for this mess.
Tanzima Khan
Fokirarpool, Dhaka
***
(Misplaced) Pride and (Outdated) Prejudice
I want to thank the writer for such a well balanced article. The feature especially addresses the discriminations workers from the subcontinent face in Middle Eastern countries. I remember reading about a Bangladeshi woman who went to Saudi Arabia as a domestic worker and went through untold sufferings from the moment she set foot on Saudi soil. She was taken to a house and locked up. Several Saudi men raped her while she was kept in isolation for a month. Her passport was taken away. One day she escaped and with the help of a sympathetic official of the Bangladeshi consulate got an air ticket home. After coming back, she made a complaint to the government and some officials advised her not to 'talk too much about it.' She is not alone. Hundreds and thousands of hardworking workers who go to work in the Arab countries are treated inhumanly and are denied basic human rights.
Lalarukh Khan
Dubai, UAE
***
The Poetry in Women's Hair
Once again the writer has produced a fascinating piece. I love the Shayeri he cites to describe the beauty of women's hair. However, the writer seems to have forgotten to mention the aesthetics of the blonde hair of a woman. And how about the redheads? Talking about the redheads, I remember American actress Jamie Luner who said, “You can sleep with a blonde, you can sleep with a brunette, but you will never get any sleep with a redhead”!
Rabiul Alam
Sacramento, California, USA
***
Photo: Amran Hossain
Patriots in the Shadows
Daily Star deserves our deepest respect for honouring some unsung heroes of the liberation war. We want to see more articles like these in the Star magazine for promoting the spirit of the liberation war. In Jessore, there was a mentally ill woman who used to be seen roaming on the streets often being stoned and chased by children. During the liberation war, when some freedom fighters came to her house for help, she said, “I am a poor woman. I do not have any money or food. All I have is my two sons. Take them with you and train them to be freedom fighters.” Both sons died in the war. In post independence Bangladesh, her home on a small property was occupied by a local goon. Losing everything, she became a mental patient. When I think about her, I find it difficult to look at the mirror.
Khondokar Aminul Islam
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
***
It's not just a piece of paper; it's the writer's mind
It is a well written and well balanced feature. Writing is good for the soul. Through writing the writer not only tells a story, but also communicates with his inner self and gets to know himself.
A famous author once said, “Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It's about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.” Like in many countries, our schools, colleges and universities should start offering courses on creative writing.
Ahana Chowdhury
Baridhara, Dhaka
***
Introvert in Wonderland
I look forward to reading this writer's feature every Friday morning. I love the concluding sentence– “Politics or not, remember that there is no correlation between the most talkative person in the room and the best ideas.” I could not think of any better way to say that the most talkative person in the room is usually the dumbest one.
Khodeja Khanam
Azimpur, Dhaka
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Comments