EDITORIAL: THE DAILY STAR, BANGLADESH

Women's policy detractors

Don't use religion for party politics

WE are saddened and worried that in the name of Islam some people have been trying to create confusion around the issue of the proposed national policy on women. In many ways, it is a repeat of what these very elements tried doing recently about the education policy, a move that created some unnecessary confusion. Now when a progressive step is being taken to ensure that Bangladesh's women enjoy equal rights with men politically, economically and socially, these extreme elements are busy spreading the false notion that the proposed policy goes against the Quran and Sunnah. It does nothing of the sort. Indeed, we are outraged that where Islam once caused a positive transformation in people's thoughts and even now symbolizes equality and self-esteem for all men and women, some quarters are happy to convey the impression that Islam stands against granting equal rights to women. Nothing could be further from the truth.
A section of people, who base their politics on misinterpretation of religion, have called for a hartal today. We wonder if they and their followers went through the entirety of the proposed policy before raising the bogey of Islam and the Quran being in danger should rights be accorded to Bangladesh's women. Nowhere in the policy is there any mention or even a suggestion of its being in contravention of the Quran and Sunnah. The truth is that the policy simply means to ensure a more pro-active role for women in the various sectors of national life and thus make it possible for them to pursue life in dignity and freedom. Those are principles which are enshrined in the Quran as well. The ignorance of those behind the current ruckus is therefore inexcusable.
The women's policy is surely a necessary one and a good one. It ought to be a step forward not just for women but for the whole nation as well. We ask those agitating against it to desist from denigrating Islam by using it as a weapon for political propaganda.

Congratulations to India

A befitting end to a captivating event

WITH Dhoni's six, which was the last of the tournament, and one that helped India surpass Sri Lanka's total in the final, the curtains came down on what must surely rate as one of the brightest extravaganza of any sport, let alone cricket.
This is for the first time that the final was contested by two teams from South Asia, and for the first time too that a team won the trophy on home soil. Two best teams had reached the finals and the team playing better won. Congratulations to India for winning the cup, and for the second time, after 28 years. At the end of the day it was a victory for the game of cricket.
Sri Lanka deserve kudos, too as a fighting side offering stiff competition to the winner.
We should also spare moment for introspection. Firstly, the performance of the Bangladesh team should be analysed objectively. Our performance was patchy but we can take comfort in the fact that we had defeated England in the preliminary round. There is also the need to consider increasing the capacity of our cricket stadiums vastly, given the great following of the game and the 20/20 Cup to be hosted by Bangladesh in 2014, or move major cricket tournaments to larger stadiums. We also feel that the fans can be spared the hassles that they had to go through in procuring tickets.
We feel that everything has ended well having gotten the event off with a flying start in Dhaka, and the organisers, the ICC and the BCCB and all those that were associated with the event in Bangladesh, deserve our fullest appreciation for pulling it off without the slightest hitch. Other co-hosts India and Sri Lanka are felicitated, too.