The New Nation - Internet Edition

Play with colour

Invited guests watching paintings at the exhibition
at the Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts in the city.
FocusBangla

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

A 14-year-old boy, intellectually disabled, can now draw pictures. He said, "I love to draw. My madam taught me how to draw." One of his framed pictures has been put on display in an exhibition, which showcases similar illustrations by children with autism, intellectual and multiple disabilities.

A five-day art exhibition titled 'Play with Colour' featuring works of the children with disabilities is being held at the Bengal Gallery at Dhanmondi in the city. The show was inaugurated on September 19.

The exhibition was jointly organised by SEID (Special Education for Intellectually Disabled) Trust and Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts in association with Golden Harvest and Action Aid Bangladesh.

Korean Ambassador in Dhaka Suk Bum Park inaugurated the show as chief guest, while Women Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh President Nasrin Awal Mintoo, Director of SEID Trust Dilara Satter Mitu, Managing Director of Bengal Foundation Luva Nahid Chowdhury, Chairperson of Golden Harvest Group Zaheda Khatoon also spoke on the occasion. SEID Trust Chairperson Dr Naim Ahmed chaired the session.

The speakers underscored the need for a collective effort to ensure welfare of the children with disabilities. Children with disabilities have the rights to get services, they said.

The Korean Ambassador said, "I congratulate this wonderful outcome with the hope that it would work for them as a bridge over the troubles they have endured for a better world."

Naim Ahmed in a message said, "Our goal is to participate in the efforts and struggles of children with disabilities to overcome the barriers imposed by the society. We share the indomitable spirit of our children and their continuing effort to enjoy life to its full."

As part of advocacy to raise awareness about the rights of people with disabilities, SEID Trust arranged an art competition in June this year where 115 such children took part. A total of 60 works, produced by children with intellectual and multiple disabilities as well as autism, are on display at the show.

Dilara Satter said, "10 per cent of total population in county suffer from disability and three percent of them are intellectually challenged."

SEID Trust, the non-government organisation, provides medical support, special education, educational materials, speech therapy, vocational training, nutritional support and transport services to the children with autism, intellectual and multiple disabilities, she said.

The exhibition remains open till September 23 from 12:00 noon to 7:00pm.

Pak leaders’ 'narrow escape’

Agencies

Pakistan's top leaders were to have been in the Islamabad Marriott hotel when it was bombed - but changed venue at the last minute, officials say.

Interior ministry head Rehman Malik said the president, prime minister and military chiefs should have been there.

He told journalists it would have been "a great catastrophe", but did not say why the dinner plans were changed.

A suicide bomb devastated the Marriott on Saturday, killing at least 53 people and wounding more than 266.

The Czech Ambassador to Pakistan was also killed in the blast, it was confirmed on Sunday.

President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani were planning to dine at the Marriott, Malik said, before a late change of plan.

The function was not held at the Marriott, thus the whole leadership was saved Rehman Malik Pakistani interior ministry. "The national assembly speaker had arranged a dinner for the entire leadership - for the president, prime minister and armed services chiefs - at the Marriott that day," Malik told reporters.

"The president and the prime minister changed the venue to the prime minister's house. The function was not held at the Marriott, thus the whole leadership was saved."

In other developments, it was reported that Pakistani troops fired on US helicopters that violated Pakistani airspace near the border with Afghanistan on Sunday night.

Tensions between the US and Pakistan have risen in recent weeks amid US accusations that Pakistan is not doing enough to combat Taleban militants in the region. And in Peshawar, capital of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, an Afghan diplomat was kidnapped and his driver killed, reports said.

The heavily guarded Islamabad Marriott was attacked at about 2000 (1500 GMT) on Saturday. CCTV footage of the moments before the blast show a six-wheeler lorry ramming the security barrier at the hotel gate.

The bomb - believed to have been detonated in the lorry - left a six-metre (20ft) crater.

Pakistan's government has pledged to take targeted action against militants.

Interior Ministry adviser Rehman Malik said raids would be carried out in some "hotspots" near the Afghan border.

The Danish Foreign Ministry said one of its diplomats was missing.

No group has taken responsibility for the attack, but Malik suggested responsibility lay with al-Qaeda and Taleban militants based in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) on the Afghan border.

"In previous attacks, all roads led to Fata," he said.

The BBC's Barbara Plett, in Islamabad, says the attack might have been retaliation for army bombardments of suspected Taleban targets with jet fighters. British Airways has cancelled two flights to Pakistan "in light of the security situation".

"I do not believe this is a breakdown in security. The attackers had disguised the truck well as it was covered with a tarpaulin and loaded with bricks and gravel," Malik said.

Seek forgiveness of Allah

Supplication is very important in Islam. It has a special significance and merit in the month of Holy Ramzan. Holy Quran was revealed in this month and the Lord of the Universe bestows His mercy, forgiveness and salvation to the pious people, who observe fast and all relevant rituals according to His Commandments.

The Holy Quran reveals : When my servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed, close (to them) : I listen to the prayer of every supplicant when he calleth on Me : Let them : also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way." (2:186) The Holy verse emphasises spiritual aspect of the 'nearness' of Allah through prayer and supplication. According to Allah's Message He listens to us, forgives our sins, bestows on us His bounties and grants us salvation in the hereafter. We believe that our prayer will be accepted.

Hazrat Abdullah Ibne Masud (Ra) narrated from the Messenger of Allah : In every night of Ramzan a proclaimer on behalf of Allah goes on proclaiming. O searcher of welfare, come forward ; and O searcher of evils, go back. And after this, the angel says, is there anyone seeking of Maghfirat (forgiveness) who will be forgiven ? In there any repentant, whose repentance will be accepted? Is there any seeker, whose things of seeking will be given? This proclaiming continues through every night.

The supplication should never be narrow, self-centered. The prayer and supplication of every Muslim should be broad enough to seek the bounty and mercy of Allah, for the Ummah and 'hidayat' for the greater hurman race, who are yet out of the shade of Islam-the code of life for humanity.

-Abdul Muqit Chowdhury

Bangladesh fourth in int’l Hifz competition

Rafiqul Islam Azad

Bangladesh has obtained the fourth position in the Fifth International Hifz Competition 2008 held in Tripoli, the capital city of Libya from September 12 to September 17.

Md Faysal Ahmed, 14, a Quran-e-Hafez, has brought a rare honour for the country by obtaining 93.5 per cent mark.

In the competition, Yemen has secured the first position while Lebanon and Belgium the second and the third position respectively.

Faysal Ahmed, who has succeeded to become a hafez when he was only eight years old, got a certificate and US$ 8,000 in cash as award.

Earlier in 2005, he secured the second position in such an International Hifz Competition in Saudi Arabia among 86 countries.

The Libyan Government organises the competition each year. A total of 56 countries took part in the competition this year.

Faysal was taken to Tripoli on September 11 by his teacher Hafez Salamatullah, as guardian and brought back home on September 18 after completion of the mega event.

Talking to The New Nation, Faysal expressed his gratitude to the almighty Allah for his success. He said, along with parents, his grandmother Maulana Zobaida Haque, aunt Hafeza Saleha Sultana and uncle Maulana Hossain Ahmed, an imam of a mosque in Qatar inspired him to achieve the success.

Faysal, who has qualified for taking part in the competition through selection by the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, is a student of Baitur Rasul Tahfizul Quran Institute at Kajla, Jatrabari in the city.

Hafez Salamatullah, a teacher of Baitur Rasul Tahfizul Quran Institute, told The New Nation that they had to face troubles at Zia International Airport (ZIA) in Dhaka during their departure.

"The immigration officials were creating obstacles to give clearance for us," he alleged.

Expressing his gratitude to the Libyan Ambassador to Bangladesh Ahmed A.H. Elimam for his cooperation to visit Tripoli. Salamatullah said, "Without his help, the visit could not be successful." The Ambassador personally dealt with the whole affair at ZIA, he said.

He also alleged that they did not get any cooperation from Bangladesh Ambassador to Libya during their stay in Tripoli. "The Ambassador even did not talk to us," he added.

Hafez Salamatullah said so far about 200 students have become hafez from Baitur Rasul Tahfizul Quran Institute. Now, 80 students are studying in this madrasha, he added.

Faysal told that he had got a number of awards and prizes by taking part in hifz competitions at national and local levels.

Faysal is the eldest son of his parents. His father Abdul Hafiz is a businessman while mother Parvin Akhter is a housewife. Faysal's two brothers and only sister are also studying hifz. He sought blessings of all.

Upazila polls after JS election urged

Staff Reporter

The BNP led four party alliance yesterday urged the Election Commission (EC) to hold upazila elections after the formation of new parliament.

"The caretaker government has no constitutional obligation to hold the upazila elections. The schedule for the upazila polls should be set at a realistic time after the parliament is formed," said Khondoker Delwar Hossain, BNP Secretary General to the media men after a meeting of the secretaries general of the alliance at his NAM flat residence.

Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, acting Secretary General, Maulana Mohammad Abdus Sobhan of Jamaat, Andalib Rahman, Chairman, Shamim Al Mamun, Secretary General of Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Maulana Abdul Latif Nezami, Secretary General of lslami Oikyo Jote and Ahmed Abdul Quader, Secretary General of Khelafat Majlish among others, were present in the meeting.

Khondoker Delwar Hossain said that the people of the country are in doubt whether the upazila elections will be properly held if they take place immediately after the parliamentary polls.

He, however, lauded the Chief Adviser for announcement of the national election date.

On the issue of state of emergency the Secretary General of BNP said " the emergency should be lifted,".

He laid emphasis on level playing field for all parties and amendment some sections of the new Representation of People Order (RPO)-2008, correction of conditions of the registration laws for political parties and a halt to the redrawing of electoral constituencies.

"We had a fruitful discussion with the EC. Many parties would not be able to participate if the elections were held in accordance with the new electoral laws," he added.

DCC polls next year

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Election to Dhaka city will not be held this year, an election commissioner said Sunday.

"It will not be possible to hold the election this year," commissioner Sakhawat Hossain told reporters, ending all speculation about the city election.

The commissioner said the schedule for the national polls, slated for Dec 18, and the two-phased Upazila elections planned for Dec 24 and 28 would be announced in the first week of November.

"The DCC polls will follow the national and Upazila elections."

The term for the incumbent Dhaka mayor and commissioners ended in May 2007.

Meanwhile, chief election commissioner A T M Shamsul Huda said Sunday that the EC decisions on electoral rules and outcome of dialogues with political parties would be made public on Monday.

Warrants against Stanchart CEO, staff

Staff Reporter

A Dhaka Court issued warrants of arrest against the chief executive officer and collection staff of the Dhanmondi branch of Standard Chartered Bank yesterday.

Source said Afroja Jamil, an employee of a private organization, took a car loan of Tk 15 lakh from the Dhanmondi branch of the multinational bank one year ago. He repaid a little over Tk 7 lakh in monthly installments. But as he failed to pay three installments the Standard Chartered Bank and its hired terrorists seized the car from her and threatened her with dire consequence should she report the matter.

The lawyer representing the victim told reporters that if his client was unable to pay her installments, the bank authority could have sought the help of the law enforcing agencies but it took the law in its own hands.

The lawyer filed a case with the CMM court and the court issued three warrants of arrest against bank CEO Osman Murad and collection staff Zia Hassan Chowdhary.

When contacted Standard Chartered Bank officials refused to comment on the matter.

Zillur for deferment of UZ polls by couple of months

Staff Reporter

Awami League acting President Zillur Rahman yesterday urged the government as well as the Election Commission (EC) to defer the upazila elections by one or two months to facilitate preparations of the contending parties.

He occupied that it would be difficult the for AL to take part in the upazila elections on December 24 and 28 announced by the Chief Adviser.

He also feared that the environment of the uncomming parliamentary elections would be harmed if upazila elections are held on the announced dates.

Zillur made this remark while talking to the reporters at his Gulshan residence last night.

He said at least five candidates will be in the race from each upazila for the post of Upazila chairman. If it so, how could a candidate for a parliamentary seat conduct his campaign at the same time?" he questioned.

Zillur suggested the EC to review the announced dates for the upazila election and said that the EC can announce the dates now but the next parliamentary government will arrange the upaziila elections.

"It will not cause any harm to the government or the nation," he observed.

He also hailed the decision of the EC for relaxation of provisions for registration of political parties. Zillur, however, noted that Jamaat-e-Islami will be benefited from the easing of the rules for party registration.

"Jamaat from the very beginning has been opposing the party registration provision. Now, they will be able to participate in upazila elections without registration," he said.

Minor boy killed in car mishap

UNB, Tangail

A pajero jeep carrying the daughter-in-law of President Prof Iajuddin Ahmed dashed down a minor boy to death at Karotia by-pass junction yesterday evening.

Raihan, 8, a pedestrian, died on the spot.

Witnesses said the driver tried in vain to save the boy and rammed into the road-island. Kaniz Fatema, wife of Imtiaz Ahmed, was slightly wounded.

She was returning to Dhaka from Panchagarh.

5 killed in road accident

UNB, Bogra

Five people were killed and 20 injured in a multiple collision on the Dhaka-Bogra highway near Mirzapur Bazaar in Sherpur upazila yesterday afternoon.

Witnesses and police said one Bogra-bound bus from Dhaka hit another from behind at about 5pm. The driver of the front bus lost control and the bus crashed into a CNG-run auto-rickshaw which then collided with another truck.

"Four auto-rickshaw passengers and a passer-by were killed on the spot," says a spot account of the multiple crashes.

One of the deceased was identified as Abul Kalam Azad, a cashier of Grameen Bank Mirzapur branch.

Twenty others were also injured in the accident and taken to local Upazila Health Complex for treatment.

Call to restrict private cars

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a view exchange meeting yesterday urged the government to restrict the number of private cars on the streets in Dhaka city with a view to reducing traffic jam.

They put forward this suggestion at meeting on " Traffic Jam, A Problem and Way to Resolve', organised by Paribesh Bachaw Anddolon (PABA) at the Imax Center in Dhanmondi. Veteran journalist Kamal Lohani chaired the meeting.

Quoting the report of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, Lohani said every year some 37,000 cars are joining the transport network in the capital and 80 percent of them are private cars. "

" But the government has been putting restriction on the movement of public transports instead of private cars. As a result, 90 per cent of people of the capital have been facing inconveniences in using public transports," he noted. He asked the government to solve this problem immediately.

Demanding the immediate framing of rules and regulations for putting restriction on the movement of private transports he placed some proposals. They include imposing of congestion charge on private transport movement in different busy street of the capital, charging parking fee, restriction of approval of license of private cars, introduction 0f public transport system instead of private transports for educational institutes and government and non-government offices, improvement of rail transport system, introduction of zebra crossing to facilitate the crossing of roads by pedestrians.

Tushar Rehaman, Secretary general of Citizen Right;s Movement, Saifuddin Ahmed, Executive Director of WBB trust, Bidhan Chandra Paul, programme officer of The Hunger Project, among others, spoke at the meeting. Abu Nesar Khan, Chairman of PABA ,moderated the meeting..

IGP recognises weakness in police investigations

UNB, Dhaka

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nur Mohammad yesterday recognized weaknesses in Bangladesh's police investigations and said things are unlikely to improve any time soon.

"Police investigations were never done strongly, not are being done strongly and they won't be done strongly in the future," he told reporters after his meeting with Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Lt Gen (retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury.

The police chief was replying to a volley of questions from the journalists about the quality of police investigation. His comments were sought about the cases initially filed by the police and later forwarded to the ACC. The final reports on many of those cases had to be submitted by the ACC, as involvement of the accused was not found.

"There might be questions regarding police activities," he said adding that there is no option, but to submit final reports in case of false information in the first information reports. About the weaknesses in police investigations, Nur Mohammad said this problem would remain.

He said the country's police are not in a position to work fearlessly due to its weaknesses and lack of facilities.

Responding to a query, Nur Mohammad expressed frustration for not promulgating the proposed 'Police Ordinance'.

Asked why police cannot improve the quality of its investigations, he said, "Can I do that? I've been shouting for the last one and half to two years for implementing the Police Ordinance."

The IGP said things would have been better had this ordinance been promulgated.

About police reform, he said, "We're saying we'll be good. Give us the opportunity to be good. But, you're not giving (the chance). Give us the chance first to be good, then carrying out the reforms." Asked whether there is a lack of good intention on the part of the government in promulgating the Police Ordinance, he said, "There must be problems somewhere. Promulgation of it (ordinance) can hurt someone's interests, therefore it is not promulgated."

The police chief said there is difference between cases filed by his force and the anti-graft watchdog. The ACC cases are filed after inquiries while inquiries of the police cases take place after the filing of cases, he added. He said generally charge-sheets in 60-65 percent of the police cases are submitted with the courts and the final reports of the remaining cases are submitted.