The New Nation - Internet Edition

The present caretaker government has prepared a draft national woman policy giving birth severe controversy over some of its clauses and sub-clauses. One of such clauses is that a female will inherit property equal to the share of a male in the event of death of their parents or sons or daughters or as the case may be. Reasonably Islam oriented political parties have vehemently protested, however, without giving clarification as to why this draft woman policy is contrary to the Quran. Just one or two political leaders from them have pointed out that the reason behind a female's getting half of the shares of a male (4-11/12) is that she is not bound to spend a single farthing of that property for the family she lives in. In terms of verse No.4/32, a male is the owner of the properties he earns and a woman is the owner of the properties she earns. None can force a woman to spend from it. She has got full freedom over the properties she earns or inherits. And in terms of verse No. 4/34, a male will meet the total expenditures of his family or the parent's family in case of need. The female has no responsibility as to how will the family expenditures be met? Now may I question, who does enjoy more freedom in terms of properties-a male or a female?

We therefore oppose the Draft National Women Policy and ask all concerned to study the Quran. Any body that is ignorant must not resort to adventure to make him or her a laughing stock. The Quran says, "Speak not that of which you have no knowledge,"-17/34. I like to remind all in the end that Islam fights for an exploitation-free society based on justice and equality. An ignorant cannot realise this truth, because his heart is fully dark.

Rabbani

Dhaka

It is gratifying to learn through the Press that the United States Agency for International Development(USAID) will provide 90,000 metric tons of food aid to Bangladesh in this year. As reported,one third of the food aid will be used to assist cyclone Sidr affected people while the rest will be distributed among the poorest of the poor who live in the most food insecure and vulnerable areas of the country. I think the USAID food aid should also be utilized for meeting up the demand for food of the people of other parts of the country as the country is currently passing through a little food crisis.

It is sincerely expected that very soon we will be able to overcome the existing food crisis which has been created mainly due to natural calamities. Hopefully our tested friends and development partners like the USAID will continue to support our efforts to overcome food as well as economic crisis through extending technical and financial assistances.

Professor M Zahidul Haque

Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University

Dhaka.