The New Nation - Internet Edition

Campaign to thwart moves to create social tension urged

Staff Reporter

Eminent Islami scholars at a roundtable in the city yesterday called for a systematic campaign to thwart attempts being made by certain quarters to create new social tensions in the society in the name of establishment of equal rights to property of women in the country.

Former Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdur Rouf was the chief guest at the roundtable on 'The rights of women in Islam' organised by the Islamic Council Bangladesh at the National Press Club VIP Lounge.

Moulana Muhiuddin Khan, editor of the monthly Madina, Moulana Mosaddeq Billah of Char Monai, Atiqul Islam, secretary general of Muslim League, Moulana Abul Kalam Azad, of Mohammad Nurua Madsasah, Moulana Nizamuddin, Principal Khijirpur Madrasah, Sylhet, Moulana Zafarullah Khan, secretary general, Khelafat Andolan, Abu Naser Rahmatullah, of Swadhinata Forum, Abdul Mubin of Islamic Party, Moulana Mohammadullah Jan of Bhairab, Moulana Keramat Ali, imam of Tongi Jame Masjid and Moulana Fariduddin Masud, former director of Islamic foundation among others spoke at the roundtable presided over by Moulana Abdur Rab Yousufi, convenor of the Islamic Council.

Justice Abdur Rouf said that the concept of equal rights of women in husband's property had its origin in the western extremely individualistic social system where divorce was common and women otherwise had no right to property. This does not suit the values of the east where family bonds are strong and the religion of Islam specifically provides for share of women in the properties of their parents and husband.

Moulana Muhiuddin Khan said that the issue of equal property rights for women was being promoted at the instigation of foreign powers to irritate the ulema and compel them to become restive. This would justify their war on Islam in the name of war on terrorism, he said.

He said that in the face of such instigation the ulema should remain united and organise their campaign against the move in a systematic and coordinated way so that undesirable elements cannot sabotage it by creating unwanted sentiments and letting loose indiscipline. He said that saboteurs in the past frustrated many positive movements of the ulema in the past.

700 UCEP students offered jobs

Staff Reporter

Different companies and firms offered some 700 jobs to the skilled students under the Underprivileged Children's Educational Programme (UCEP) at a one-day job fair in the capital yesterday.

The Job-Fair was jointly organised by UCEP and Plan International at the head office premises of UCEP at Mirpur.

The jobs were offered to the skilled students of various trade categories. They include: electronic technologies, plumbing and pipe fitting, motor driving, industrial sewing, embroidery and jori, auto mechanics, refrigeration and air condition, electrical and electronic control.

A total of seven stalls were set up at the job fair.

A good number of employers of different companies and their representatives were present at the fair to recruit skilled students who belong to underprivileged society.

MA Momen, Managing Director of Toka Ink Bangladesh Ltd and Immediate Past President of DCCI, was present as chief guest.

Lt Col (Ret) Hisamuddin, BoG Vice President, UCEP Bangladesh, Brig Gen (Ret) Aftabuddin Ahmmed, Executive Director UCEP, Md Masud of Plan International, Abdul Malek, Uttara Motors and Taj Mohammad, Chairperson, Employer's Committee Dhaka, among others were present.

At present two technical schools of UCEP are run with the support of Plan International, the co-organiser of the event. There are 360 students on the roll of these two technical schools.

Bangladeshi farmer killed in BSF firing

UNB, Kurigram

A Bangladeshi farmer was shot dead by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along Fulbari border in the district yesterday morning.

The dead was identified as Hydul Islam,30.

BDR sources said when Hydul Islam went to his land at Krishnananda village near border pillar no 1030 BSF members of Narayanganj camp fired nine rounds of bullet towards the village without any provocation, leaving Hydul dead on the spot.

BSF members dragged away the body to the Indian territory.

BDR sent a letter to BSF protesting the incident and demanded immediate return of the body.

Fakhruddin greets Yousuf Gilani

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Affairs Advisor Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury conveyed greetings of Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed to newly nominated Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani through the Pakistan High commissioner.

The felicitation was conveyed when the Pakistan High Commissioner Alamgir Bashar Khan Babar called on Ifetkhar this afternoon.

The High Commissioner informed the Adviser of Pakistani gift of approximately 2500 tons of rice for post-Sidr victims and handed over a token sack at a simple ceremony at the Foreign Ministry.

Iftekhar told reporters that Bangladesh sincerely hopes to expand and deepen bilateral relations with the new government being sworn into office in Pakistan.

Bangladesh to study deals of Lanka, Nepal with India before signing any bilateral agreement

UNB, Dhaka

Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman yesterday said Bangladesh would study the outcomes of Sri Lanka and Nepal's bilateral trade deals with India signed undercover of free trade agreements (FTA).

"We believe, we're not each other's competitors in regional trade, but we need more discussions and studytWe should see first how the Nepal and Sri Lanka's agreements with India work and benefit them," he told a regional seminar on regional trade at Brac INN auditorium in the city.

South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) and CUTS International India and Commonwealth Secretariat, London jointly organised the discussion.

Presided over by SANEM executive director Dr. Selim Raihan, the function was moderated by CPD chairman Prof Rehman Sobahan.

Zillur said the South Asian region is far way from establishing a regional trade bloc although many regions have shown good success in this regard.

Expressing his opinion on developing local industries, he said there should be emphasis not only on getting access to regional and international markets, but also on the enhancement of local productivity, quality and diversification.

"If we don't improve our productivity, quality and diversity, we won' t be able to derive benefits from the market access," he said adding that the focus should be on the future exporters alongside the present ones.

The Commerce Adviser said the matter of regional trade should be considered from a holistic point of view so that it could address all the issues.

Former SAARC secretary general QMA Rahim said the move to introduce regional trade under SAFTA among the south Asian nations has failed because of non-tariff barriers (NTBs).

"Unless the NTBs are removed, no bilateral trade agreement will work," he observed.

CPD executive director Prof Mustafizur Rahman said

Indian investment in Bangladesh would come when their investors find that their exports to the Indian market have a zero tariff access.

He cited Tata Group's investment proposal and said the Indian giant was very cautiously looking into the zero tariff product list when they planned to invest.

FBCCI Adviser Manzur Ahmed said India, as the largest economy of the region, should come forward to remove obstacles to the regional trade to help its small neighbours by ensuring market access.

Prof Indra Nath Mukharjee and Bipul Chatterjee of

India, Newaj Rajabdeen of Sri Lanka, and Navin Dahal of Nepal also spoke at the seminar.