The New Nation - Internet Edition

Holy Ramzan: Fitra to celebrate Eid

The Arabic word 'Fitr' means 'to break'. 'Sadaqatul Fitr' is the charity paid at the time of breaking of fasting-the end of Ramzan. It is given to the poor and the needy on the occasion of Holy Eid-ul-Fitr, meaning 'Eid of Fitr.' The Sadaqah, popularly known as 'Fitra', is obligatory for any person who is matured, conscious, sane and financially able at the sunset on the last of Ramzan. 'Fitra' should be paid for a person and his dependants.

'Fitra' is a means of practical sympathy, a symbolic co-operation to the poor and the needy to enable them to participate in the joys of the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr. The Quran and the Sunnah proclaims the 'right' of the poor in the wealth of the solvent and the rich people. The 'Fitra' is also that 'right' due to them. It reminds us of our all time responsibility and economic obligation to the destitute.

Rusulullah (Sm) said. 'Make such charity in the Day of Eid so that the poor people become rich and there remains no need for them to seek alms from any one." The aim of 'Fitra' according to Hadith is "to arrange for the food of the miskin." (Abu Daud)Rasulullah (Sm) described the 'Sadaqatul Fitr' as 'Kaffarah', of the faults/deficiencies of fasting. He said, "His fasting remains hanging between the earth and the sky, who does not pay Fitra."

This means his fasting is not accepted by Allah Rabbul Alameen.

Ibne Umama (Ra) said, "Rasulullah (Sm) directed us to pay Sadaqaful Fitr before going out to offer the Eid prayer." (Bukhari. Abu Daud. Muslim, Tirmizee, Nasayee).

The Fitra must be paid or at least set aside before one offers the Eid prayers. It should be given to such poor people, whose income or cash in hand is not enough to meet his family expenses. It is to be paid to a needy, who is helpless and indigent.

--Abdul Muqit Chowdhury

Bush, Zardari discuss US incursions in Pakistan

AP, New york

President George W. Bush on Tuesday expressed sorrow for the victims of a deadly truck bomb that devastated a Marriott hotel in Islamabad and acknowledged tensions over U.S. military incursions into Pakistani territory. Publicly, Bush and President Asif Ali Zardari, who met on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, exhibited a show of solidarity against extremists. Privately, the two leaders must try to craft a delicate strategy to make progress in fighting militants while keeping U.S.-Pakistan relations on an even keel until Bush leaves office in four months. Pakistan is under growing pressure from the United States to act against al-Qaida and Taliban insurgents along its border with Afghanistan, a staging ground for attacks against coalition troops in Afghanistan and bombings in Pakistan. Pakistan accuses the U.S. of violating its sovereignty.

"Your words have been very strong about Pakistan's sovereign right and sovereign duty to protect your country, and the United States wants to help," Bush said before the meeting. "Pakistan is an ally, and I look forward to deepening our relationship. We'll be discussing, of course, how to help spread prosperity. We want our friends around the world to be making a good living. We want there to be economic prosperity and we can work together, and of course we'll be talking about security," Bush said.

Bush expressed condolences for the friends and relatives of the more than 50 people killed and hundreds others who were wounded in the Marriott bombing on Saturday that rocked the nation. "I know that you, your heart went out to the families of those who suffer and so does the collective heart of the American people," Bush said. "We stand with you."

Bush also spoke of how Zardari buried his own wife - assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto - in December. Bush recalled meeting Zardari's children this summer at the Olympics in Beijing. "It reminded me about the great suffering that they and you have been through with the loss of your beloved wife, and I thank you very much for staying involved in public service to honor her legacy," Bush said.

Zardari said democracy is the answer for Pakistan. "We will solve all the problems. We have a situation. We have issues. We've got problems. But we will solve them, and we will rise to the occasion," Zardari said.

"That's what my wife's legacy is all about.

That's what democracy is all about - to take difficult decisions and do the right thing for the people of our country and our two great nations. We should come together in this hard time and we will share the burden and the responsibility with the world." But with little political clout and support from the Pakistani military, it's unclear whether Zardari will be capable of rooting out extremists.

Pakistani officials said Tuesday that its security forces backed by helicopter gunships and artillery killed more than 60 insurgents in the nation's northwest tribal regions in offensives aimed at denying al-Qaida and Taliban militants safe havens. In the nearby Bajur tribal region, security forces killed at least 10 militants during an ongoing offensive there, government official Iqbal Khattak said. That operation, which began in early August, has won praise from U.S. officials worried about rising violence in Pakistan and Afghanistan. But it has also triggered retaliatory suicide bombings elsewhere in Pakistan.

Extortion case: HC bench to hear Hasina's bail prayer today

UNB, Dhaka

A vacation bench of the High Court will hear Sheikh Hasina's bail prayer related to an extortion case filed by businessman Noor Ali today.

The two-member bench of Justice Sheik Rezowan Ali and Justice M Rais Uddin is set to hear the bail prayer by Hasina who is now in the United States for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, another division bench, which allowed Monday for filing two more bail petitions on behalf of Hasina in Niko and barge-mounted power plant graft cases, yesterday sent back the prayers, stating it does not have jurisdiction to hear the petitions.

The division bench comprising Justice AKM Fazlur Rahman and Justice Sheikh Abdul Awal passed the order, said barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapas, a counsel for Awami League president Hasina.

Barrister Tapas told reporters that they would go to another bench that has the jurisdiction for securing bail for his client on September 29.

Sustainable food sovereignty a must: Spread of agri-technologies urged

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a South Asian Regional Workshop yesterday called for diffusion of innovation on agricultural technologies among the South Asian countries for sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty.

They said that the South Asian nations could ensure food security if they disseminate agriculture related information and share technology properly.

Speakers made their remark at inaugural function of the five day long workshop on 'Sustainable Agriculture and Food Sovereignty' at Hotel Best Western La Vinchi in the city. Agricultural experts from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and host Bangladesh are participating in the five-day long workshop. The Sushasoner Jonny Procharavizan (SJP), a local non-government organisation organised the workshop. Dr M A Assaduzzaman, Research Director of BIDS said that we have been able to solve the food crisis through the adaptation of modern technology on agriculture.

"None of the countries develop themselves without agriculture.

For the reason, we have to engage the WB and IMF for our own purposes," he said.

He also emphasised on the dissemination of information to increase agriculture production among the South Asian countries. Dr Abdur Razzaque, former Executive Director of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council said that it is not possible to ensure food sovereignty among the South Asian countries without people to people contacts on the agricultural knowledge.

"We must develop our knowledge and skill to increase food production through the innovation of cost reduction technology in agriculture," he said.

He emphasised on the agricultural research for reducing the production cost in agriculture. "It must be needed to transfer technology among the south Asian countries farmers to ensure food sovereignty," he pointed out.

WF Priyankara Costa, an agriculture expert of Sri Lanka said that the government of Sri Lanka has taken the decision on agriculture related issues on the favour of multinational companies.

He said that we have conducted our activities for adopting farmer friendly policy in favour of us.

Qamar-Mohy-Ud-Din of Pakistan said that the experts of the Pakistan have worked hard to reduce the cost of agro-production through using technology.

Ujjani Halim, an expert from India said that the government has yet taken their agricultural policy on behalf of multinational companies.

He said that the government has raised their voice on behalf of farmers. "But, they have taken their policy against farmers," he alleged.

Morshed Ali, President of Krishak Samity of Bangladesh said that the country has no sustainable agriculture policy during last 37 year.

"The government policy weaken Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation," he said, adding, "The so called aid institutions have destroyed our economy in the name of helping."

Saiful Islam, General Secretary of Bangladesh Land Labour Union said that the autocratic, anti-democratic actors of the global arena have tried to destroy the self-production capacity of the South Asian country. He called upon the ill power to resist the actor.

"The government has permitted the private entrepreneurs to build industries by destroying the cultivable lands."

8pc students enroll in public, pvt varsities

BSS, Dhaka

After passing the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, a little over eight percent of the students could pursue higher education as the country's public and private universities do not have adequate number of seats to accommodate them.

According to a report of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the percentages of the scope for higher education are 11.9 in India, 29.3 in Malaysia and 37.3 in Thailand.

With the increased number of HSC passed students every year, academics have suggested for increasing the number of universities and seats at the existing universities besides ensuring quality education.

Chairman of Transparency International Bangladesh Professor Mozaffar Ahmed said time has come to take steps for increasing seats at the existing universities.

At the same time importance has to be given for maintaining the standard of education, otherwise the purpose of higher education will not be achieved, he added.

He suggested introducing of double shifts or evening shift at the public universities and reputed private universities to meet the present crisis.

Eminent academic Prof. Serajul Islam Choudhury said some of the reputed colleges should be upgraded into universities by providing with required facilities.

The 20-year (2006-2026) strategic plan of the UGC for higher education in the country suggests that at least 28 new universities will have to be established to absorb 15 per cent HSC passed students for higher education.

In the tough admission battles in the public, students who have achieved even GPA 5 in both SSC and HSC, fail to get admitted in subjects of their first choice due to shortage of seats.

According to Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics, besides the public universities there are 11,000 seats at 54 private universities, 4,000 seats at public and private medical colleges, 55,000 at 61 National University affiliated colleges with honours courses, 80,000 at 1,069 colleges with degree (pass) courses, and around 5,000 seats at private engineering and technical institutes.

The public universities including BUET, DU, Jahangirnagar University (JU), Rajshahi University (RU) Khulna University and Chittagong University (CU), public medical colleges, Dental colleges, Leather Technology College and Bangladesh Textile Technology College have only 24,051 seats. Of these, 885 seats are at BUET, around 4,500 at DU, around 1,350 at JU and 2,500 at public medical colleges, sources mentioned.

Amu urges govt: Remain cautious against forces out to mar JS polls

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) presidium member Amir Hossain Amu yesterday urged the Government and the Election Commission (EC) to be alert and remain vigilant so that no ill-motivated quarter can foil the upcoming parliamentary elections. foil

Indicating to the BNP-Jamaat alliance, he asserted that the people who had taken stand against the implementation of new electoral code of conducts, were the masterminds of the conspiracy to foil the December elections.

Amu made this remark while addressing the leaders and activists at a discussion meeting of Awami Sechhyasebak League in Institutions of Diploma Engineers in the city.

AL presidium members Tofail Ahmed and Suranjit Sen Gupta,among others, also addressed the discussion.

Amu said the BNP-Jamaat force is against the election, as chances are there for the Awami League to return to power.

He also called on all the political parties parties to accept the relaxed provisions in the Representation of the People Order Ordinance 2008 for the sake of democracy in the country.

Later, at an Iftar party at his Easkaton residence Amu told reporters that the long-awaited parliamentary polls cannot deferred in the face of irrational opposition from a particular force.

Tofail Ahmed expressed his dissatisfaction with the announced dates for upazila elections within less then one week of the national elections.

He opined that it would be difficult for the political parties to take part in the upazila elections because of time limitation.

He said at least five lakh poll workers would be needed to arrange the parliamentary polls, then how the government would manage workers within such a short gap for the upazila elections.

Expressing solidarity with his colleague Suranjit Sen Gupta said, " There should be a gap of at least 45 days between the general and upazila elections."

Testing melamine in milk: US company to help BSTI

Rafiqul Islam Azad

Testing of presence of melamine and cyanuric acid in milk and milk products is possible through LC/MS/MS machine speedily and accurately.

"The machine has the capability to simultaneously determine the existence of the melamine and cyanuric acid in food, particularly in milk and milk products at 1ppb (Parts Per Billion) level, quality of which is international standard and recognised," claimed an engineer.

Engineer Rashed Chowdhury, Technical Director of Science Solution, Bangladesh Representative of Applied Bio-System, an American Company, told The New Nation that the LC/MS/MS system is most dependable and internationally recognised analytical method for testing the presence of melamine and cyanuric acid in food. He mentioned that such a machine has been installed with the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) under Bangladesh Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) in the city through Bangladesh Scientific and Chemical Mart, a sister-concern of Scientific Solution Private Limited.

Rashed Chowdhury said the LC/MS/MS is product of Applied Bio-System, the global leader in mass spectrometry, for testing harmful substances in food and water as pesticide, harmful colour, micro toxin, and harmful anti-biotic.

Emphasising the need for determination of presence of melamine and cyanuric acid simultaneously, Rashed Chowdhury said, "Melamine is a widely used industrial raw material for kitchen ware and many other household articles, safe to human life, but in conjugation with cyanuric acid (found in food, milk, etc) a potentially harmful substance is formed, that causes rental failure leading to even death."

He said a section of unscrupulous industrialists, particularly in China, add melamine in milk to boost artificial protein value of milk and milk products.

Rashed Chowdhury said as part of the social corporate responsibility, they want to cooperate with the BSTI to determine the presence of melamine and cyanuric acid within the shortest possible time through using the machine.

He said, on behalf of Bangladesh Scientific and Chemical Mart, a letter has been submitted to the Director General of the BSTI in this regard on Tuesday.

It may be mentioned that the government on Sunday banned three brands of powdered milk exported by Chinese companies.

The decision came in the wake of sickening of over 6,000 children drinking certain brands of Chinese milk. Five of them died and 158 are suffering acute kidney failure. The presence of melamine was blamed for the milk contamination.

Meanwhile, the BSTI officials said they would need at least one week to detect if there was toxic element in the milk they collected for sample taste.

4 injured in gun attacks in city

UNB, Dhaka

Unidentified gunmen shot and injured two people, including a cable television operator, at Malibagh in the city yesterday evening.

Police said some unknown assailants opened gunshots indiscriminately on Panir, the operator, at about 6:30 pm while he was choosing a panjabi at a market near the Shahidia Jam-e-Mosque at Malibagh.

During the gun-attack, school student Arif who was another customer at the shop, also suffered bullet injuries in his chest.

The injured were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

Their conditions were stated to be critical.

Injured Panir told reporters that the four associates of extortionist Zakir attacked him as he rejected to pay them Tk 10,000 in toll.

He also alleged that the gang had also killed Apu, a satellite connection trader, over toll at Malibagh on April 27.

A case was filed with Khilgaon police station.

Besides, two employees of a car showroom at Kakrail were injured in a gun-attack in the evening.

Police said three gunmen by a motorbike entered 'Top Speed' at 19/1, Kakrail and fired indiscriminately that hit glasses of the showroom at about 6:40pm.

During the attack, two employees Tuhin, 22, and Zakir, 23, of the car showroom were injured by the broken glasses. The injured employees were taken to DMCH where they received first aid.

Reasons behind the attack could not be confirmed immediately.

Khaleda demands release of all political prisoners before Eid

UNB, Dhaka

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday demanded the government release all political prisoners before Eid.

"I demand their freedom to establish justice and create an election-friendly environment," the former premier said in a statement signed by her aide Maruf Kamal Khan.

She said she favoured the trial of any suspect under regular laws of the land, no matter whatever the charges.

"Anybody can be punished if he is convicted but punishing anyone before conviction cannot be supported," she said in the statement.

The former prime minister thanked all who supported the struggle of her, her two sons' and scores of political leaders under the state of emergency. "I thank (them all)," she said.

Khaleda rendered her sympathy to the people who have suffered physically, mentally and financially to protect their basic human rights in recent days.

She said she believed restoration of full democratic process was the only answer to "our collective sacrifice".

CA reiterates support for development of Africa

UNB, New York

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed on Monday reiterated the Bangladesh's firm commitment to further strengthening its support and cooperation for the development of Africa.

The head of the caretaker govenrment made the remarks while intervening the second high level roundtable meeting on 'Africa's Development Needs: State of Implementation of Various Commitments, Challenegs and the Way Forward'. The roundtable was held at the ECOSOC Conference Hall at the UN Heqadquaters, which was preceded by High Level Plenary Meeting on the same theme in the morning.

President of Rwanda Paul Kagame and Presdient of Finland Jarja Halonen co-chaired the roundtable attended by heads of government and state of various countries.

President of Mozambique, President of Madagascar, US Secretary of State and executive secretary of ECA, among others, spoke at the roundtable till 12 noon (local time) when the report was filed.

Earlier, the Chief Adviser attended the High Level Plenary Meeting, at the UN General Assembly Hall, on the Theme 'Africa's Development Needs: State of Implementation of Various commitments, challenges and the way forward'.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said: "Within the framework of South-South cooperation, countries like Bangladesh can meaningfully contribute to Africa's sustainable development.

"Over the years, Bangladesh has successfully pioneered a number of innovative ideas to development like micro credit, non-formal education and women empowerment."

He said Bangladesh is willing to share her 'Green Revolution' experiences with the fellow LDCs especially those in Africa. "We must remain comrades in our quest for peace, development and prosperity."

He said micro credit has now been replicated in around 100 countries, including many in Africa.

As a member of the organizational committee of the Peace-building Commission, the Chief Adviser said Bangladesh is actively engaged in supporting the ongoing development efforts in Burundi and Sierra Leone.

He said the development partners and the international community should also take steps to help Africa integrate into the global economy through foreign direct investment

"We are deeply concerned that since 2005 the ODA-GNI ratio for developed countries has declined from 0.33 percent to 0.28 percent. It falls far short of the G-8 Gleneagles pledge in 2005 to double aid to Africa," he told the roundtable.

Dr Fakhruddin said Bangladesh has been an active and ardent proponent of peace and development for Africa. There has hardly been a UN Peacekeeping mission in Africa in the last two and half decades in which Bangladesh did not participate.

Currently around 10,000 Bangladeshis are working in 12 UN peacekeeping missions, he said.

Bangladesh send its peacekeepers even to the highest risk areas. "We do so in line with our deep commitment to the UN charter and in the sprit of solidarity with our African brethren," the Chief Adviser said.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and UN Permanent Representative to UN Ismat Jahan also attened the round table.

Invasion of piracy: Student suspect in Palin hacking

Agency

The son of a Democratic politician is being investigated over the hacking of US Republican running mate Sarah Palin's e-mail, US media reports say.

A local TV station in Tennessee said FBI agents had searched the home of 20-year-old student David Kernell, son of state congressman Mike Kernell.

The hackers posted e-mails online after accessing the private Yahoo account.

David Kernell has not returned calls, the AP news agency said. His lawyer said it was a "difficult period".

His father, a Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, has declined to discuss the possibility his son might be involved in the case, the AP said.

FBI investigators reportedly searched the apartment of David Kernell, a student at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, over the weekend.

Witnesses told the local BBIR-TV station in Knoxville the investigators had spent up to two hours there.

No charges have been filed in connection with the case.

Mrs Palin's personal gov.palin@yahoo.com e-mail account and another she owned, gov.sarah@yahoo.com, have now been deleted.

As well as a number of e-mail messages, the hackers also posted screenshots of the Alaska governor's inbox, address book and family photographs to the Wikileaks whistle-blowing site.

Republican presidential contender John McCain's campaign team last week condemned the action against his running mate as a "shocking invasion of the governor's privacy and a violation of law".

The hackers used the CTunnel proxy service which routes web browsing through an intermediary to obscure where the attackers were based. However, the screenshots for the attack reveal the original web address used by the proxy which experts said might help investigators track down those responsible.

The attack occurred as questions were being asked about whether Mrs Palin used her personal e-mail accounts to carry out state business.

US law states that all e-mails relating to the official business of government must be archived, not destroyed. However, it does allow for personal e-mails to be deleted.