The New Nation - Internet Edition

FISH is the cheaper and main source of dietary protein for the about 150 million people of Bangladesh. Fish will be depended on as a source of animal protein in the diet for all aspects of nutrition by an even bigger population in the future. But this source of vital nutrition is already under a threat which would likely turn worse in the near future from dwindling reproduction of various species of sweet water fishes. Bangladesh in the past was home to about four hundred species of bush water fishes. The number has dwindled to two hundred and fifty species with the others becoming extinct or endangered. But even the supplies of the species which are still seen, appear to be fast shrinking. The main reason for the extinction as well as dwindling supplies, is the spread into water bodies of chemical substances such as pesticides used in agriculture.

According to a newspaper report, nearly eight thousand tonnes of pesticides are used in agricultural lands in the northern districts and nearly 50 per cent of the same pass into water bodies. No figure is available for similar passing of pesticides into water bodies located in other parts of the country. But the chemicals are very much in use in the rest of the country. These chemicals are poisonous for all species of fish and the environment The situation calls for immediate stringent regulations to ensure safe use of pesticides requiring the taking of steps so that the same can be prevented from passing into water bodies which are the natural breeding grounds of fishes. The laws should be strictly followed and their enforcement ensured in this regard along with awareness campaigns conducted to make people more caring and conscious in the use of chemicals in agriculture.

Besides, the prevailing enforcement measures related to fish catching and punishment of offenders for neting fish fries and fishes which are below specified sizes as per the law and rules will have to be stepped up with a greater zeal. But above all, water bodies, canals and creeks that disappeared due to unplanned construction of water structures built in the past without adequate concern for their impact on the environment may be restored where possible to give back fishes their breeding and feeding grounds. This has been done in the developed countries including the US and those in Europe because unplanned development activities have led to catastrophic consequences. Experts say that introduction of exotic species of fish without considering their impacts on the environment has also caused serious harm to local fish species. All man-made interference in the way of free and healthful breeding of fishes in their natural habitats must be done away with.

AT a discussion last week in the city, speakers urged the interim government to drop its plan to lease out eight state-owned jute mills and instead demanded a 'national policy' for revival of the ailing jute industry and recovery of the lost glory of the golden fibre. According to recent media reports, they depicted the picture of how a booming jute industry has been dragged to such a pale situation that the government has to go for leasing out jute mills. It was stated how the state-run Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation because of its growing liabilities earlier closed down four major jute mills as a consequence of the process of ruining jute and the jute industry as a whole since independence.

Held under the auspices of 'People's Commission for Jute and Jute Industry', the meeting's participants rather dubbed the initiative as self-destructive for the economy. International donor agencies were also named at the discussion for imposing various conditions that compel the government from time to time to carry out agenda detrimental to country's economy and industry. It was mentioned that the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund had earlier called for privatisation of the jute mills and their gradual closure for incurring heavy losses. Bangladesh last year exported 16 lakh bales of raw jute of which only India imported 10 lakh bales, but this year there is litle demand for raw jute though the local mills still have more than 16 lakh bales of jute in stock. If eight more mills are leased out, at least 45-50 lakh bales of raw jute will remain unsold, which will affect adversely the jute cultivators and others involved in the jute business. Besides, a large workforce will become jobless overnight with litle scope of being provided again anywhere in the already squeezed industrial sector.

The jute and textile mills at different places set up in the 1950s and 1960s are now being closed down as the state-owned jute and textile corporations have proved not competent to run those. Rather, all these top-heavy bodies with bureaucratic tangle suffer from an inertia that must be overcome first The jute mills corporation, on the other hand, hardly can bear any more loss being incurred since the mills were taken over in 1972. The mills closed in the recent past were - 'People's Jute Mills' at Khalispur in Khulna, 'Karnaphuli Jute Mills' and 'Foraat Carpet Mills' at Rangunia in Chitagong and 'Bengal Textile Mills' at Noapara Industrial Town in Jessore. A total of Tk 358 crore was due to be paid to 3,339 workers and employees of the People's Jute Mills alone though no payment - not even their salary - was made before the closure of the mills.

Dr. M. S. Haq

It is expected President Musharraf will win the upcoming election in Pakistan because the people of the country do not have, at the present time and among other things, any other viable candidate with profiles, standings and achievements comparable to those of the incumbent president - unless some unusual or unexpected things (or both) happen in the country between now and the election or immediately after that It is hoped that will not be the case.

It may be mentioned here the performance of President Musharraf in the election will not only depend on a number of things but will indicate a number of things, for an instance. Those things could, among other things, be instrumental in augmenting further and sustaining further peoples' support for the president both within and beyond the scope of the upcoming election. Please note: I have used deliberately the term "peoples'" and not "the people" in the above sentence because elections in countries in the contemporary period have atained, in many respects and among other things, a borderless dimension, as well as character. A few of the things mentioned above are presented below - in the question form (mostly) and not in the order of priority or importance.

How do the people of Pakistan and others - at individual, collective and other levels - perceive and evaluate, without any undesirable fear or pressure, the productivity (= efficiency + effectiveness) of present government and governments of for example, PM Nawaz Sharif and PM Benazir Bhuto when it comes to factors such as, facing uncertainties, meeting challenges, harnessing opportunities, creating successes and contributing to or inviting failures? Why and how results, outcomes and impacts of President Musharraf's government over the years, particularly in the recent years are relatively beter or not beter or otherwise than results, outcomes and impacts of governments of his immediate predecessors, in qualitative, quantitative and other terms?

Although human memory is short in a sense but memory traces at individual, as well as collective levels and memories at ICT, institutional and other levels (as applicable) could assist the people of Pakistan in the effort towards making comparative and competitive judgments - based on say, their feeling, experience and understanding - about maters such as: under which government or governments their needs, wants and expectations have so far been served in a relatively best possible manner and to the maximum satisfaction of all concerned?

How do the people of Pakistan perceive and evaluate, in qualitative, quantitative and other terms, the country's immediate future under the continuing leadership of the president and under a somewhat reconfigured constituency in the domain of governance that might take a clear, as well as solid shape following implementation of an expected Pervez-Benazir deal? How do the people of Pakistan evaluate and value overall achievements of the country in post 9/11 era under the leadership of military president Musharraf? How do they judge the incumbent president and his government's role in transforming Pakistan into a strong ally of the US after 9/11 and in sustaining that status as of today (02 October 2007)? To what extent they are in favor of liberating the country from terrorism, religious extremism and other anti-Islamic, as well as anti-people activities?

What kind of president the people of Pakistan is looking for at this point in time (for the country) when threats, risks, vulnerabilities and activities associated with terrorism and other anti-people plus anti-state activities have been posing formidable challenges to the country's effort towards advancement of peace, progress, prosperity - including inter alia the per capita welfare of people, and security in a result-oriented and sustainable manner at local, national, regional, global and other levels?

The good news is: despite above and other constraints, it is apparent from media (both print and electronic - including inter alia PTV and Geo TV) other reports, the country has made a considerable progress in relevant areas in the recent years. Congratulations!

The people might argue about inadequacies or even failures of the Musharraf government when it comes to events relating to, among other things, removal of the country's chief justice and maters connected with or ancillary to handling of politics, relevant political parties plus their leaders under certain circumstances. They could be right in many respects. But the people - to whom it may concerned - should, among other things, need to be more explorative, more pragmatic and more matured while forming opinions about those and related events plus maters or while making judgments on those and related events plus maters or both. One of the concerns here is: the maters are not blown out of proportions. It may be mentioned here: cursory statements (as applicable) about those events and maters, disseminations of those statements, and perceptions of peripheral nature about those events, as well as maters could, among other things, be instrumental in creating, promoting and sustaining confusions and misunderstandings in Pakistani and other societies. Such things are not desirable at least at this critical hour of the country's history.

In light of above and maters pertaining to say, the president's own failure to keep his uniform related promise which he had made previously before the public (I mean, the earlier one): it is expected the people of Pakistan and others will be able to deal with those and other related things against the backdrop of factors such as and as appropriate: (i) time, contents, contexts, constraints (created intentionally or otherwise), motives and motivations; (ii) cause, effect and causality; (iii) to err is human; (iv) costs and benefits; (v) objectivity; (vi) foresightedness; and (vii) wholesomeness - used in physical, virtual and other senses. It will be interesting to point out here: the mater relating to reinstatement of the chief justice to his original position could, among other things, be viewed as the victory of people's power over the power of government It indicates inter alia: one, Pakistanis can control the decision and the action of President General Pervez Musharraf and his administration as and when they deem fit in the greater national interest but at a cost; and two, the existence of democracy, in certain forms and degrees, in Pakistan under the regime of General Musharraf. The present day media freedom, in one form or another, in Pakistan is an example of democratic practices therein.

I believe Pakistan - like, Bangladesh and other countries (to whom it may concern) - should step up anti-corruption activities at local, national and other levels and make more impact oriented efforts towards liberating the country from corrupt politicians, corrupt political environments and corrupt political practices, to mention a few. I can feel the intensity of political pressure Pakistan has been enduring for quite sometime now on account of a possible Pervez-Benazir deal, as well as developments relating to former PM Nawaz Sharif.

It could be that choices available presently to the president of Pakistan in respect of for example, maters pertaining to former PM Benazir and former PM Sharif are limited due to a host of internal and external factors, whether controllable or not and whether personal or otherwise. But I believe the people of Pakistan will not, from now onwards, allow corrupt politicians or politicians accused of corruption or suspected corrupt politicians or politicians involved in anti-state and anti-people activities to participate, in one way or another, in the formation, running and controlling future governments of the country. It should be noted here: the determination of acts and omissions constituting political misconducts on the part of politicians and others should be made in a fair, transparent, accountable and satisfactory fashion, per se.

In light of above, it is expected people will review again for example, the anticipated Musharraf-Benazir deal and support President Musharraf in excluding corrupt politicians (used in a wider sense including inter alia suspects) from the deal. The president could negotiate the deal with the concerned political party and party leaders who are not associated with corruption and other anti-people, as well as anti-state activities. Otherwise, the president could negotiate deals with other political parties and honest political leaders in the overall local, national and global interest In an extreme situation, the president could seek the people's verdict on the mater through a referendum, for example.

The last word: I will be failing my duties, if I do not mention how much pleased I am with the quality of President Musharraf that he has demonstrated so far through relevant debates and discourses at various forums including those of TV talk shows. I found the president to be smart, alert, articulate, informative, intelligent and foresighted - he seems to possess a high degree convincing skills, as well as self-awareness. He appears to be a doer, and people can learn easily pertinent things from his deliberations, per se. If his intention is good, if his moral strength is high, and if he is fully commited to say, national interest, I am sure he will win the election easily by the grace of God. In such an event, one of his post election challenges will be: how best and quickest he could be instrumental in the realization of election promises to the satisfaction of all concerned. Wishing him all the success in the election and beyond.

Ameer Hamzah

Zakat aims at poverty alleviation. It is the compulsory religious obligation for the Muslims. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. Zakat is a tax at a fixed rate in proportion to the worth of property (in cash and in kinds), collected from the well-to-do of the society and distributed among the poor Muslims. It is not a mercy but the right of the poor in the wealth of the rich. Every rich Muslim is bound to pay Zakat as per prescribed rate and is liable to punishment both here and in the Hereaffter. Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA), the first Caliph declared war on those Muslims who refused to pay Zakat It indicates that the state has power to make laws with provisions to imprison, penalaise and confiscate the properties of the defaulters. The state can otherwise force the rich Muslims to pay Zakat

Prophet Muhammad (SM) appointed officials to collect it from the well-to-do and spent for the rehabilitation of the poor.

Bangladesh is a land of 150 million people of which 40 percent live under or on the poverty line. There are areas like Rangpur and Kurigram where there are no works at all at least three months a year. At that time, they pass days together without food. It has been gathered that every year a good number of people saunter in the capital city in search of work. The government may take up income generating projects in the rural Bangladesh with the zakat-money. It is estimated that nearly 10,000 crore of taka could be collected from the wealth of the rich men and it will be taka 50,000 crore in five years taken to be enough to remove poverty from a large area of Bangladesh. There are Islamic scholars and experts capable of devising good planning in this regard. There is no need of asking for IMF, ADB and WB advice. Rather the help of IDB may be taken.

The Prophet (SM) did not like poverty. He said, "It tends man to forget Allah and His Atributes." At the same time, he denounced luxurious life because it too induced a man to forget his Lord. Zakat is compulsory for the members of the Christianity also. The text of the related verse is: And hath made me blessed wherever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and poor-tax as long as I am alive,"-19/31. Child Jesus told it to the queries of the neighbours as to how did Hazrat Marium (AS) become mother when she was not yet married. The verse clearly states that Zakat and prayer are enjoined on every Christian. There is no way to sidetrack.

Verses on Zakat are 2/43, 110, 215, 272, 3/180, 4/37, 9/34, 60, 14/31, 17/26, 29, 24/56, 25/67, 42/38, 57/7,11,18, 63/10, 73/20, 92/8-10, 17-21, 59/9. Text of some of them is:

"Establish worship, pay the poor-tax and bow your heads with those who bow (in worship)", -2/43 "Establish worship and pay the poor-due", -2/110

"Allah does not love such as proud and boastful,"-4/36 " (And) who hoard their wealth and enjoin avarice on others and hide that which Allah bestowed upon them of His Bounty,"-4/37

"Those who give alms, both men and women, and lend goodly loan, it will be doubled for them and theirs will be a rich reward,"-57/18 "And chain not your hand with your neck nor be over-generous, lest you sit down rebuked, stripped off,"-17/29

It is the state that will collect Zakat from the rich Muslims, as did the Prophet However, the Muslims may pay it by themselves in a non-Muslim state or in the Muslim state where the government has not made such law as keeping provision. Zakat is collected at the rate of 2.50 per hundred. It is calculated on the wealth in cash, in gold ornaments, crops, profit out of trading, rent collected from houses, shops etc. The Prophet (SM) appointed Hazrat Muaz bin Jabal (RA) Governor of Yemen. On the eve of his departure, the Prophet asked him, " What will you do first after taking over the assignment?" Muaz said, "I shall first call the people to embrace Islam." "If they embrace Islam, what will you do then?" inquired the Prophet "I shall ask them to establish worship,' replied the newly appointed governor. The Prophet again asked him, "If they do it, what will you do next?" Muaz said, "Then I shall call them to pay Zakat" "Well," said the Prophet, "But ensure that no force is applied to collect Zakat beyond the rate and none's property is over calculated."

Eight classes of people are entitled to Zakat They are poor, needy, collectors of Zakat, neo-Muslims, to free the captives, debtors, defenders of religion and way-farer-(Ref: 9/60).

Zakat can be paid throughout the year. However, the month of Ramadan is the likeliest month to the Muslims. Allah has given utmost importance on Zakat because in it lies the right of the poor- (Ref: 51/19). Allah has described in verses no. 9/35 and 3/180 the nature of punishment in the Hereafter. The text of verses are: That which (wealth) they (rich) hoard will be their collar (of fire) on the Day of Resurrection",-3/180.

"On that day when it will be heated in the fire of hell, and their foreheads and their flanks and their backs will be branded therewith (and it will be said unto them): here it is that which ye hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what ye used to hoard,"-9/35.

However, payment of Zakat does not relieve a rich Muslim from his responsibility towards fellow brothers nor does it release the state from its eventual responsibility towards the poor. The mater could be understood from the The following verses.

"They ask thee (O Muhammad), what they shall spend. Say: That which you spend for good (must go) to parents and near kindred and orphans and the needy and the way farer,"-2/215

"Transfer not the property, to the weak in understanding, which Allah hath given to you as means of livelihood; but feed and clothe them from it and speak kind (words) to them,"-4/5

Te first one relates to the individual responsibility while the second verse reminds the state of its responsibility to the poor.

Bidisha

YOUNG stars have always been compelling: so talented, and yet so creepy. Anyone watching their fresh faces can't help but wonder at the God-given gifts and terrible psychological damage that lie beneath. But we need wonder no more, as Daniel Radcliffe's memoirs are said to be in the offing and Charlote Church's autobiography is already in the bookstores, promising to tell us everything we want to know.

Except, of course, that they won't Public interest in young stars has never abated because the stars never give their public what they really want: a sure route to fame. Whether in the case of a rough-diamond type such as Wayne Rooney or a serious, intense young achiever such as Ellen MacArthur, the fact is that people who achieve fame young, and maintain it in the long run, genuinely have something special. It's not just their own particular gift, it's also an evolved political canniness and a core resilience.

They'll never admit it, though. The myth of success demands that they fit one template only: the rise to glory from humble, innocent beginnings. This is the story of the plucky "ordinary" kid with only a dream, superhuman talent, energy, charisma, luck, contacts, a will of iron and some seriously calculating shrewdness.

I prefer stories depicting a fall from great heights: more realistic, given that the majority of child performers never do make it in the long term, and wind up losing it I want to read about Judy Garland binding her breasts and fighting her co-stars for every second of Wizard of Oz screen time; Edward Furlong turning from film director James Cameron's golden boy into a fat drunk; or Macaulay Culkin "divorcing" his parents to gain control of his money.

Young stars' own accounts of their success aren't the place to look for grity candour. Having just joined the network of power, they won't jeopardise their position by dobbing in those who mould the entertainment industry or the mercenary financiers who bankroll it After all, they may be working together some day. You'll have to look at their work instead: think of Jodie Foster, whose adult career has been one long rebuke to the sexualised roles that made her famous in Taxi Driver and Bugsy Malone. Conversely, Jamie "Billy Elliot" Bell and Nicholas "About A Boy" Hoult got famous playing dorks, but are now busy being lithe, sexy and beautiful in Hallam Foe and Skins respectively. All are trying to escape the shadow of child stardom by doing the opposite of what brought them to prominence.

Since the stars will never tell, it's down to me to recount a true story that lifts the lid on the perils of stardom. It is the tale of a feted child actor about to become stratospherically famous after being chosen to play the lead in a mainstream costume drama. The only thing he had to do to finalise the part was to, ahem, go away for the weekend with one of the other stars of the show, a married actor in his 40s. He declined. The second choice didn't -- he's now in Hollywood and his career's booming. The first choice has since retired from acting.

But exposés of the real iniquities confronted by young stars rarely crop up in their memoirs as long as the stars remain illuminated by the spotlight - disappointingly, the order of the day tends instead to be po-faced, good-hearted niceness. It may be true that everyone has a story to tell about their "journey", but it's also true that some stories are more interesting than others.

© The Guardian