While working in Rawalpindi in 1970 I was asked by a Pakistani gentleman about my identity whether I am a Muslim or Bengali first. I proudly identified myself as a Bengali then a Muslim. Naturally he was not happy and confirmed his conviction that breaking up of Pakistan was just a matter of time. This incident came back to me again in relation to the current debate on singing of the national anthem in Bangladeshi madrassas. This is a serious gap in achieving the goal of a unified nation in Bangladesh. The reluctance of the Islamic clergy to accept traditional Bengali culture as a dominant force in shaping this young and sovereign nation is a contentious issue. The madrassa education which produces a clergy class carries a diametrically opposite ideology which works against creating a unified Bengali nation. The sharia taboo against music and songs in Islam is based on ignorance. A handful of Islamic fundamentalists like the Taliban's use brute force to enforce this taboo but the vast majority of the Muslims do not share their repulsive views. As religion is always a divisive force it always tries to block progress and universal understanding. In a society like Bangladesh where modern education is yet reach every citizen this situation will continue to plague the nation. But the patriotic forces must continue the struggle.
Akbar Hussain
Canada
To: alochona@yahoogroups.com
From: ezajur.rahman@q8.com
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:33:21 +0300
Subject: [ALOCHONA] National anthem at schools
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The singing of the national anthem in madrassahs is long overdue. But the truth is no nation willingly separates its young citizens from such a young age driving them into different worlds which seldom coincide. It is our irresponsibility that has brought us to this situation. State managed seminaries, with broad consultation, can develop the religious men who will lead our congregations in prayer. But the vast majority of madrassah students should be sitting beside their fellow citizens in the classrooms of regular government schools. Many will argue about this but I have never met a successful man who studied at a madrassah and then sent his own son to a madrassah. We are tearing the soul of our country apart and we have been doing so for a long time.
Ezajur Rahman
Kuwait
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