Both Roy and Rahman deserve my thanks for their thoughtful comments. Changes are inevitable. But in celebrating out national important days we must not drift away too far from the original theme. For example, singing "amar bhaiyer rokte --" as a band song would be too much. If Mr. Hannan sees observance of new year ad an idolatry, I am afraid he may also see observance of ekush also as an act of idolatry. Scary! I do not think he really wants Arab culture in Bangladesh. But he is too serious about religion. Life has other important aspects.
Sent from my iPhone
I am much younger than Mr. Hannan and when I was younger our whole family went to Ramna (During 70's). Even then the celebration did not look anything like how it looks today.
There are many positives of this day and (Like most things in this world) there are some bad elements as well.
It is true corporate houses are sponsoring such events. But I don't think they are trying to hurt Islam anyway but just trying to promote their brand/business any way possible.
Having said that, there are some elements "Inserted" into this "Simple" event. The whole Mongol Shobha jatra was much later "Innovation". Which looks a lot like traditional Chinese new year than anything relating to small melas our forefathers used to go to.
Average Bengalis used to have some "Bharta, panta bhaat" etc. The fact is despite many obstacles, we have more money to spend than our father's generation did. They barely survived but most in our generation have more money to spend. So they go big during "Nobo Borsho".
Values, standards, morals etc changed over the years and sometimes it becomes obvious to us.
I think we can have lively discussions over this issues.
Things changed and people change. From religious point of view there are many elements of this events that can be questioned. So the million dollar question is HOW we share religious view in BD without violating "Rights" of those who want to participate in dance, music etc.
For those who want to live according to religious standard, this is the real question of the day. In a "Free" country every human being has right to share his/her views peacefully.
Albeit many people point out that, Bangladesh has a majority Muslim population but they often forget that, most Muslims in our country do not have clear concept about Islamic point of view. So those who studied the scriptures have no doubts about what Islam says but really need to pay attention how they convey the message of Islam. Since there are SOME elements who becomes violent thinking Islam approves that!!
It is critical that, our young men and women are not mislead by fanatics to use violence in the name of Islam. So far most of our imams did a good job in talking about Islam and how it does not approve attacking innocent civilians in God's name. We have to stay alert against such initiatives.
Personally I have not taken my family into the festivities for few years. Because it lost it's "Family friendly" face. Those who care for "Secular" Bangladesh need to think about that part as well.
Are we going "Lease out" our culture and tradition to corporate houses or try to retain some purity, simplicity authentic character of this event?
I have a feeling it is slowly becoming a "National concern" concerning many different groups of people.
Looking forward to hear different views on this topic.
Shalom!
-----Original Message-----
From: S A Hannan <sahannan@sonarbangladesh.com>
To: khabor <khabor@yahoogroups.com>; mezbahjowher <mezbahjowher@yahoo.com>
Cc: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>; 'sahannan' <sahannan@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Apr 15, 2012 12:32 am
Subject: [mukto-mona] RE: [KHABOR] FW: Bangla New Year Day--editorial Asia Post
Jowher sahib,I have not said that women should stay in home only. You know Islam permits women to go even in battlefields .I have found out that most women I have talked do not like body exposures before men folk ( dress is becoming too revealing with Urna—breast and head cover-- in hand or neck or shoulder, sometimes transparent dress ) .Most women I oppose this.I am 73.In my childhood in various places (I moved with my father who was in service) I did not see any observance in Ist Baishakh, not even any rich food in home. Literature show that some melas used to be held in some places where some toys etc used to be sold.What is happening now is corporate capitalists business promotion (buying new dress, new ornaments, bangles etc) and invasion of western and Indian nude culture of exploiting women's body. The bad boys use this day to harass girls and touch their bodies. This is the truth.Some secular elements are trying to make this an alternative to Eid in the name of so-called non-communalism which in effect means promotion of idolatry of various kinds instead of Tauhidi culture .Shah Abdul Hannan
From: khabor@yahoogroups.com [mailto:khabor@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Mohammad Rahman
Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2012 3:57 PM
To: khabor@yahoogroups com; mezbahjowher@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: [KHABOR] FW: Bangla New Year Day--editorial Asia Post
Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android
From: mezbah jowher <mezbahjowher@yahoo.com>;
To: khabor@yahoogroups.com <khabor@yahoogroups.com>;
Subject: Re: [KHABOR] FW: Bangla New Year Day--editorial Asia Post
Sent: Sat, Apr 14, 2012 9:47:09 AM
