The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bangladesh may lead UN stabilising force for Somalia

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed called on United
Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in New York on Friday.
PID photo

UNB, New York

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Friday said Bangladesh may become the lead country of the proposed International Stabilizing Force for Somalia.

The formation of International Stabilizing Force for Somalia, a multinational force, remains under consideration.

The UN Secretary General expressed the view during a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at his UN Secretariat office at the UN Headquarters.

The Chief Adviser said the government would look into the matter positively. "Ban Ki-moon said details of the international stabilizing force for Somalia would be discussed during his expected visit to Bangladesh on November 1.

The UN Secretary General appreciated the role of Bangladesh peacekeepers in UN missions and hoped that Dhaka would continue to send peacekeepers to the UN missions.

UN millenium development goals (MDGs), food security, election, climate change and socioeconomic progress were discussed during the meeting.

Fakhruddin said Bangladesh's commitment in attaining the MDGs is continuing and the country is on the track. MDGs have been achieved in many areas, he added.

Ban Ki-moon said achieving MDGs by Bangladesh would be symbolic and an example for all UN member countries.

Fakhruddin said that the UN Secretary General during his visit to Bangladesh would see for himself the socioeconomic progress and the success achieved by the country.

Despite two successive floods and powerful cyclone Sidr, Bangladesh overcame the situation by its own resources, he said and mentioned the farmers' extraordinary performance in producing bumper crop and food with the necessary input support by the government.

The Chief Adviser said the government has made food stock of more than one million metric tons by procurement. On general election, he mentioned the completion of voters' list with photographs of over 80 million voters to hold a free, fair and credible election on December 18.

Referring to the recently held municipal and city corporation polls, he said these were indicators of free and fair elections.

The UN Secretary General hoped that a good election would be held in Bangladesh under the leadership of Fakhruddin.

Ban Ki-moon warmly welcomed the Chief Adviser and the members of his delegation at his office in the UN Secretariat.

CA's press secretary Syed Fahim Munaim briefed newsmen about the meeting.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Women and Children Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury, CA's press secretary Syed Fahim Munaim and Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to UN Ismat Jahan were present at the meeting.

Holy Ramzan: Enjoin right and forbid wrong

The Holy Quran ordains the responsibility of the Muslim Ummah to lead mankind towards the 'right path': "Ye are the best people, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah". (3:110)

This verse has the message to all the Muslims for mankind. The revelation of the Holy Quran with this mission has a special significance in this context :

"Ramzan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong) : "(2:185)

The first quoted verse proclaims Muslims as 'best people' to enjoin 'right' and forbid 'wrong': The second one proclaims the Quran as 'guide to mankind' for 'guidance and judgment' (between right and wrong). The relation between the two verses is on the people (Muslims), the message (Quran) and the responsibility (guidance and judgment between right and wrong).

Side by side with the universal responsibility of leading mankind on the proper path, the Quran ordains a special mission for a section of dedicated people to fight for the cause :

"Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong : they are the ones to attain facility." (3:104).

Here, 'a band of people' is called to come out to 'invite to' 'good' and enjoin 'right' and forbid 'wrong.'

Allama Yusuf Ali comments in this context : The ideal Muslim community is happy, untroubled by conflicts or doubts, sure of itself, strong, united and prosperous : because it invites to all that is good, enjoins the right; and forbids the wrong, a masterstroke of description in three clauses."

This enjoining of the right and forbidding the wrong is 'Amar bil maruf and 'nahi anil munkar' in the religious term. This assigned duty for every Muslim and, specially a section of Muslims, should be rendered in all possible ways. Rasulullah (Sm) said, "If someone of you notice bad deeds, check it with hands. If unable to do so, check it with mouth. If you are unable to do it also, hate (condemn) it with your heart ; and with that you will be free from responsibility. But it is a very weak Iman (faith)." (Muslim, Nasayee)

The present social environment is very much polluted. Corruption is rampant. Terror prevails. The voice of conscience and human values should be dominant in moulding the future of the nation. The Muslims have that ordained mission to eradicate evils and uplift the society through propagation and establishment of human values. They should shoulder that responsibility.

-Abdul Muqit Chowdhury

S Arabia assures Bangladeshi workers’ welfare

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Saudi Arabia has promised initiatives to improve the quality of life for Bangladeshis living in the kingdom, an adviser said yesterday.

During a UNGA sideline meeting in New York between foreign adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, the latter acknowledged the contribution of Bangladeshi workers in his country and assured welfare measures for them.

The foreign adviser proposed setting a minimum wage for expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia. Prince Saud al-Faisal said the proposal would be conveyed to the labour ministry for scrutiny.

"We have agreed that both sides will initiate measures to advance the quality of life of the workers and promote their welfare," Iftekhar Ahmed said in a statement issued from New York.

"Prince Saud al Faisal noted with appreciation their contribution," the statement said.

Dhaka's concern over the welfare of Bangladeshis in Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, has been raised by recent events highlighting poor working conditions and wages of unskilled and semi-skilled workers.

Bangladeshis are the largest group of foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia. According to the kingdom, more than 1,765,000 Bangladeshis live and work there.

While the government has been trying to persuade the Saudi government through diplomacy to raise wages, the kingdom has deported hundreds of Bangladeshi workers for violation of local laws.

Saturday's statement said the adviser briefed Prince Saud al Faisal on the recent political developments and the chief adviser's address to the nation announcing national polls on 18 December.

Prince Saud al Faisal thanked him for the briefing and assured him of the continued support of the Saudi government in the fulfilling of the government's goals, it said.

The Saudi Minister conveyed his "warm invitation" to Iftekhar Chowdhury to visit Saudi Arabia at a mutually acceptable date.

Al-Quds Day observed

Staff Reporter

The Al- Quds Day was observed in Dhaka city on Friday with a call for united efforts of all Muslims to help establish the state of Palestine with Jerusalem, the city of Baitul Muqaddas as its capital.

A discussion meeting was arranged in this connection by Al- Quds Committee, Bangladesh at the Supreme Court Bar Association Bhaban.

Former Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Anwarullah Chowdhury was the chief guest at the function presided over by Prof ANM Adbul Mannan Khan, President of the committee.

Prof Fariduddin Khan presented the keynote paper while the Ambassador of Iran to Bangladesh Hasan Faranzadeh, Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Editor, The New Nation, were present as special guest and guest of honour.

The speakers at the function noted that the Israeli occupation of Palestine is bound to end as the Palestinians have taken the lesson that freedom would not come without sacrifice for their motherland.

They mentioned about the recent Israeli defect in war with Hezbollah at the Lebanon border and said it might be the beginning of the end of Israeli occupation.

The function was concluded to offering of munajat.

Chinese astronaut takes historic walk in space

Reuters

Astronaut Zhai Zhigang became the first Chinese man to walk in space on Saturday, clambering out of China's Shenzhou VII spacecraft in a technological feat that Beijing wants the world to marvel at.

"I'm feeling quite well. I greet the Chinese people and the people of the world," Zhai said as he climbed out of the craft, his historic achievement carried live on state television.

Zhai, the 41-year-old son of a snack-seller, unveiled a small Chinese flag, helped by colleague Liu Boming, who also briefly popped his head out of the capsule.

Zhai re-entered the spacecraft safely after a walk of about 15 minutes, marking the high point of China's third manned space flight, which has received blanket media coverage.

He wore a $4.4 million Chinese-made suit weighing 120 kg (265lb). Liu wore a Russian-made suit and acted as a back-up. Zhai, tethered to the ship, slowly made his way toward a chunk of solid lubricant outside the capsule, took a sample and handed it to Liu, the official Xinhua news agency said, in an experiment aimed at improving the durability of the materials.

The crew later launched a small satellite to take the first full images of the spacecraft from the outside.

Shenzhou VII, which took off on Thursday, is due to land on Sunday at around 5 p.m (0900 GMT), said mission spokesman Wang Zhaoyao.

President Hu Jintao spoke to the astronauts on their return to the capsule, congratulating them on their efforts and wishing them a "triumphant" return.

"You've done a great job," Hu said.

Zhai, apparently reading from a prepared script, thanked Hu. "The space walk mission has been accomplished smoothly. Please set your mind at ease, Chairman Hu and the people of China," Zhai said.

"In the vastness of space, I felt proud of our motherland."

The risky space walk was a step toward China's longer-term goal of assembling a space lab and then a larger space station.

The fast-growing Asian power wants to be sure of a say in the future use of space and its resources.

Chinese Communist Party leaders, also celebrating the mission, hailing the country's achievements in a year in which Beijing has staged a successful Olympics and coped with a devastating earthquake in Sichuan in May.

A Xinhua commentary praised the mission as adding "an upbeat note to an eventful year"-references to events such as the earthquake.

"(The space mission) is seen as another source of pride and joy for the people after the Olympics."

But Xinhua also said that China remained far behind the two leading space powers, Russia and the United States. "Compared with these countries, China is still a latecomer and is only taking its starting steps," it said.

Xinhua said millions tuned in to watch the event on television, some on large outdoor screens.

"It's worth the money. It shows our country is getting stronger, and other countries will not dare bully us," said civil servant Jiang Guishan, watching along with hundreds of others in Beijing's fashionable Wangfujing shopping district.

"We have encountered a lot of difficulties, but we will not be defeated when faced with them, and will only overcome the obstacles and be strong. Now this is a great example," added travel agent Wu Qixin.

China's space programme has come a long way since late leader Mao Zedong, founder of Communist China in 1949, lamented that the country could not even launch a potato into space.

China's first manned spaceflight was in 2003, followed by a two-man flight in 2005. The only other countries that have sent people into space are Russia and the United States.

Bomb hits Delhi market, boy killed

Reuters

A bomb exploded in a crowded market in India's capital New Delhi on Saturday, killing a boy and wounding 22 others, police said.

The government described it as an "act of terror."

Witness Raj Singh Daswal said he saw two men on a motorcycle drop a black plastic bag that was picked up by a boy.

"He ran after the men telling them 'uncle, uncle you dropped something'," Daswal told Reuters. "Immediately after, there was a huge explosion. The boy's head was blown off."

The bomb left a crater on the road. Police cordoned off the blast site to keep away a crowd of hundreds of people. Many, including wailing women, tried to break through the cordon.

People were seen walking in blood-stained shirts. Locals carried the injured to hospital. Bomb experts picked through debris for clues and sniffer dogs were brought in.

"We now know one person is dead," deputy commissioner of police H. G. S. Dhaliwal said, adding the toll could go up as many of the wounded were in critical condition.

The street in Mehrauli, where the bombing took place, is a mixed area with small mosques and some ancient stone Muslim buildings mixed in with small shops and homes, and close to the Qutab Minar monument which attracts thousands of tourists.

Police evacuated people from all major markets in the city and said ammonium nitrate could have been used in the blast.

"We are looking for the motorcyclists," police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said.

Hundreds of people have been killed in a wave of bombings in India in recent years, mostly blamed on Muslim militants, with targets ranging from mosques and Hindu temples to trains.

Saturday's explosion comes days after a series of bombs in the capital that killed 23 people and wounded more than 100 others. Those attacks had put New Delhi on alert and police were raiding Muslims' quarters and criminal hideouts.

They shot dead two Muslims in a raid last week, saying one of them was the mastermind of the New Delhi bombings.

The failure to prevent such attacks has become an embarrassment for the Congress party-led coalition government, with elections less than a year away.

"The government will have to take stern measures to put an end to this type of activities and acts of terror," Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters.

In July, at least 45 people were killed when a series of bombs ripped through Ahmedabad, the main city of the western state of Gujarat. A day earlier, one woman died when eight bombs went off in the IT hub of Bangalore.

In May, more than 50 people were killed in coordinated bomb attacks in the western tourist city of Jaipur.

Police have blamed the banned Students' Islamic Movement of India for most attacks in recent years, but say that local Muslims appear to have been given training and backing by militant groups in neighboring Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Low crosses over to Patuakhali, Madaripur, Khulna

BSS, Dhaka

The well-marked low crossed over to Patuakhali, Madaripur and Khulna at about 6 pm yesterday after roosting in the northwest Bay of Bengal since Thursday, met office sources said.

It would hang over the land as a well-marked low pressure and trigger rains and winds along the southwestern region as well as in other parts of the country, before moving northwest, likely via Jessore, to West Bengal before fizzling out, the met sources told BSS.

As the low was whirling over the coast it triggered rains driven by winds.

The met office has advised the maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Mongla to keep hoisted local cautionary signal number three. It also warned fishing boats and trawlers in the north Bay to stay close to the coast and move cautiously until further notice as the sea became stormy.

The riverports in the country have been advised to hoist riverport signal number two.

It was staying around 8.15 pm over the southwestern part of Bangladesh between Patuakhali, Madaripur and Khulna, the sources said.

As the low crossed the coast of Khulna and Patuakhali, it carried the convective winds and bales of clouds it was gathering during its stay in the northwest Bay.

It dumped 110mm rainfall over Patuakhali in 12 hours till 6 pm today. The met sources said rains and winds are likely tonight in southwestern Bangladesh. Some more are expected in other parts of the country overnight and tomorrow as well.

The met forecast during the next 24 hours beginning at 6 pm today said light to moderate rains or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds are likely at most places over Dhaka, Khulna, Barisal and Chittagong divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places elsewhere over the country.

The day temperature may remain nearly unchanged, the forecast added.

Lailatul Qadr observed

BSS, Dhaka

Thousands of Muslims thronged Mosques and other religious places to offer special prayers in observance of the holy Lailatul Qadr, the night when the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to the Greatest Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (SM).

The devout Muslims joined the milad, zikr, prayers, Quran Khwani, religious discussion in Mosques and their houses in line with the traditional practices as the night is better than 1,000 months.

This is one of the holiest and most blessed nights, which is likely to occur on one of the odd nights on the last ten days of Ramadan and most likely to be the 27th. On this holy occasion,

the Muslims also visit graveyards to seek blessings of the Almighty Allah for eternal peace of the departed souls of their near and dear ones.

Bangladesh observes the day as a national holiday with newspapers publishing special articles and the state-run Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radios putting on air special programmes offering prayers and highlighting the significance of this holy night.

Although the literal translation of the word "Qadr" is "measure", the day has been popularly referred to as Night of Power while it is also the anniversary of the night in which the holy Quran is believed by Muslims to have been revealed in its entirety.

The Muslims also believe that their fate is decided on this night for the following year and hence they pray to Allah all night long mercy and salvation as well. To the Muslims, the entire month of Ramadan is a period of spiritual training, wherein believers devote to fasting, praying, recitation from the holy Quran and offering charity.

Because of the revealed importance of this night, the Muslims strive harder in the last ten days of Ramadan since the Lailatul- Qadr could be one of the odd-numbered days in the last 10 days of this holy month.

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed issued statements greeting the countrymen and the Muslims across the world and seeking blessings of the Almighty for the peace and progress of the country on the occasion.

"On this holy night, we seek the blessings of almighty Allah and pray for peace and progress in our life in this world and also the life thereafter," the president said.

The chief adviser in his statement said the Holy Quran was revealed on this night to show the mankind the path of worldly and eternal emancipation.

"I pray to the Almighty Allah for the overall welfare of the country, nation and the Muslim ummah on the occasion of the Lailatul Qadr. Let this night bring for us fortune, undisrupted peace and prosperity," he said.

Steel, re-rolling millers in trouble

UNB, Dhaka

The country's steel and re-rolling millers are passing through a bad time, as the prices of raw materials of their products have marked a sharp fall in the last couple of months.

According to industry sources, the prices of raw materials of steel and re-rolling products, particularly that of melting and re-rollable scraps, have come down to US$ 450 from US$ 640 per ton in the last two months.

As a result, the millers who imported raw materials two months back are now receiving those, counting a loss of about US$ 200 per ton.

Even though the sudden fall in the raw material prices have put the steel and re-rolling millers into trouble, it has little impact on the local retail market of MS rods.

"Due to the effect of the price fall on the international market, we' ve to sell our products at lower prices suffering a loss of Tk about 14,000 per ton, but there is no impact of it on the retail market," said a re-rolling mill owner.

He said the retailers are still selling the MS rod almost at the same high prices as they did two months back.

According to the sources, the 40-grade MS rod is selling at between Tk 55,000 and 60,000 per ton, while the 60-grade MS rod at Tk 70,000 per ton. The price of 60-grade rod remained unchanged.

Similarly, the effect of price fall of the MS rod is also not visible in the real-estate sector.

MS rod manufacturers alleged that the developers had raised the prices of apartments showing the excuse of rise in steel products. "But these developers who directly collect MS rods from steel mills at lower prices have not yet reduced the prices of apartments. So, the customers are not getting the benefit of price fall," said a MS rod manufacturer.

Allegations are also there that a section of developers and contractors involved in public works through tenders is asking the manufacturers to produce lower sized rods than the standard ones.

They ask the manufacturers to make 10-millimetre (mm) rod 9-millimetre one and the 16-millimetre rod 15-millimetre one.

"This is simply cheating… with this practice, both the developers and contractors are making undue profits, while the government and apartment buyers are counting losses and receiving substandard products," said another miller.

5 killed, 40 injured in road accidents

Staff Reporter

At least five people were killed and 40 others injured in separate road accidents in Faridpur and Tangail yesterday.

Three people including a woman were killed when a bus fell into a roadside ditch at Salildia at Bhanga upazila in Faridpur.

One of the deceased was identified as Sagir Uddin, 30. The identity of two others could not be known immediately.

Local people said a front wheel tyre of a Pirojpur bound bus from Dhaka suddenly deflated and the vehicle plunged into the ditch leaving the three people dead on the spot.

The injured were admitted to the upazila health complex.

In another accident, two persons were killed on the spot in a tragic road accident on the Dhaka-Tangail highway at Baoikhola under Basail upazila in Tangail yesterday morning.

The deceased were identified as Borhanuddin Ahmed, 52, Managing Director of Natore Sugar Mill and his driver Altaf Hossain, 50.

Police said while Borhanuddin was coming to Dhaka from Natore by a jeep, a Gaibandha bound bus from Dhaka hit the jeep on Saturday morning killing him and his driver.

Police seized the bus. A case was filed.