Fasting : How Government's action can help Citizen?
BADRUL ISLAM
The Month of Ramadan has commenced and Muslims all over the world will practice" Fasting" which is ordained by Allah(swt) ; "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you, as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may learn Self-restraint" (Holy Quran: Sura 2 verse 183).
Duties of Citizen(Muslim): The duties of the Muslims during this month are clearly indicated in the Holy Quran: Sura 2 verses 184 through 187 and after making the Niyaat(daily) to fast it is incumbent on all Muslims to follow those properly to fulfill one's obligations for which an individual is rewarded by 70 times. The obligations refer to Self-restraint, Prayers (Regular, Tarabee , Tahajjud, and Nafl), Reading the Holy Quran, Zakat and Fitra to the poor.
The Prophet (swas) mentioned that Allah (swt) keeps the doors of Paradise open, gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained. Allah (swt) blesses those Muslims who observe fast and rewards them by forgiving past sins, protecting against hell-fire, and answering individual's prayers.
The special night during this month of Ramadan is "Lailatul Qadr"(Night of Revelation); reward for prayers offered this night are 1000 times more than for other nights.
Since the Holy Quran was revealed during this month the Muslims are encouraged to read it preferably with its translation so that they benefit from its contents and understand that it is a "Complete Code of Life".
Governments Responsibility: The Government in Gaza announced that it would distribute a million dollars to Gaza's poor (16000 poverty-stricken families) ahead of Ramadan to enable them to buy food.
In Abu Dhabi ,tents located ,next to several mosques, are prominent symbol of the Ramadan spirit of giving and sharing, with people from all walks of life, regardless of their nationality, social status or financial background, sitting shoulder to shoulder to break their fast. Free Iftar meals are provided on a daily basis. In addition Red Crescent Society and Zayed Al Nayan Foundation distribute thousands of boxes of meals, dates, water at various locations in the city before Iftar time. The foundation also gives to beneficiary families coupons of all essential Ramadan items needed for the families for the entire month.
In UAE, the Ministry of Economy, has taken the initiative, in collaboration with farms and major meat suppliers that UAE consumers will pay less for meat. Additionally, the Ministry confirmed that more than 700 consumer items have been included in the list of products that will not see any price hike this year.
In Turkey the Government is planning to set up "Mobile Mosques" at distant areas thus making it convenient for Citizen to pray.
The above examples are cited for our Leaders to understand how Governments can take responsibility and initiative to ease the hardship of its Citizen, particularly the most poor of the society.
In this particular month our Citizen remains dependent on their Elected Representatives for receiving smooth services, (Water, Electricity, and Gas, tax for which are duly paid) and for receiving food items from Markets at most reasonable prices.
0ur Prime Minister has called upon businessmen not to hike the price of essentials during the Month of Ramadan. Is that enough? Ground realities are very different .As reported in various Newspapers the prices of everything is going haywire. Whole-sellers and retailers are charging according to their whims. In defense for their action, they have picked up the cue from our Political parties, of blaming each other and also refers to world inflation and rising prices."Most City shops stop selling sugar, oil and TCB outlet also stops sales abruptly" is the headline of New Age dated July22, 2011. Who is responsible for this?
The Citizen feels that the Minister of Commerce, was wrong in his policy, to side track TCB, and encourage private businessmen to become the market suppliers and today from amongst them they have become the "Hydra" or the "Syndicate" to control market and they keep manipulating for profit.
Citizens are hopefully that the Prime Minister would also instruct the respective Chairman of the autonomous bodies and municipalities that essential services provided to Citizens through their respective Institutions must be ensured for Citizen and that any complaint of corrupt practices would be firmly dealt with.
"Power-cut alert for Ramadan ;Ministry calls for austerity" is another headline of Daily Star dated July 14, 2011. The report states that Power consumers are likely to face 500-700 megawatt load shedding during Ramadan although around 1000 MW power was added to national grid in the last one year. PDB Chairman ASM Alamgir Kabir said about 300MW of electricity will be added to national grid this month. Citizens have been asked to observe austerity measures, devotees to refrain from using air-conditioners at Mosques, Business 0ffices, Industrial complexes and Shopkeepers too have been asked not to use air-conditioner and to close shops by 8PM. But nothing has been mentioned about the observing of austerity by MPs at Parliament Bhavan and their Hostel/residences, and Hotels/Restaurants; hospitals are exempted from this order. The Prime Minister's energy adviser, Dr. Chowdhury , at a meeting in the Ministry said, "if they abstain from keeping on their air-conditioners, it would provide a great scope to get electricity at mosques in rural areas". How many Mosques exist in the rural area of Bangladesh?
It is very hearting to learn from Newspapers today (July 27,2011) that while addressing the inaugural session of a three –day DC conference ,the Prime Minister as directed them to step up vigilance to contain price hike of commodities and maintain law and order. She warned that vested quarters may become active during Ramadan to make extra profit by hoarding essentials or other means.
This statement made by the Prime Minister is absolutely correct and, it should be noted by the Authorities, that this same description can very well be attributed to the different Autonomous bodies that are responsible for providing the essential services (Electricity, Water and Gas) to Citizen. The DCs should definitely include these bodies (DESCO, WASA and TITAS GAS) in their vigilance program. The Chairman and the staff of these Autonomous bodies are duty bound to ensue smooth service to Citizen.
It is expected that "Mobile courts" will keep vigilance though out the month of Ramadan and it would be highly appreciated by the Citizen if the Mobile numbers of these "Mobile courts", for each areas, are published in all the newspapers and announced by special bulletin through TV Channels everyday.
The spirit and values of Ramadan ensure that preparations for Fasting are not an individual effort but a collective one; an entire nation is involved as individuals, families, institutions and government. Through-out this month Citizen will be busy with Self-refinement and Self-restraint.
Ramadan Mubarak! May Allah (swt), the Majestic and Bounteous, grants all of us, peace and strength throughout the month, forgive all our sins, offer protection from hell-fire and accept our good deeds, Zakat and Fitra (Ameen)
Badrul Islam is a Reseracher and Freelancer. He previously worked for BIWTA and United Nations in Bangladesh and East Africa.
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