The holy Ramadan, a month of self-purification through fasting, begins across the country today as the new crescent moon was sighted yesterday evening in Bangladesh.
In Bangladesh, as elsewhere in the Muslim world, the faithful have begun to observe fasting through abstinences/ denying themselves foods and drinks between sunrise and sunset. But observing Ramadan in its true spirit does not end with merely abstaining from food and drinks. How faithful a Muslim is get tested in this month through the rigours of fasting, praying, purging one's body, mind and soul of all vices and sinful acts. Islam dictates that by realising the pain of hunger and thirst through fasting, a Muslim would feel compassion towards the indigent ones who find it hard to get two square meals a day. In this way, they are expected to understand the message of Almighty that all humans feel equally when exposed to the sufferings of starvation, thirst and other kinds of worldly cravings.
In Bangladesh, with the advent of Ramadan, a section of people are found to commit the worst form of haram (the forbidden things in Islam). They adulterate food items, apply poisonous chemicals to preserve fruits, hoard essential commodities and hike up their prices manifold to earn windfall profits without any qualm. Worse still, we are alarmed to see a section of traders, wholesalers and retailers colluding together to artificially raise the prices of essentials in the month of Ramadan. The practice has become somewhat of a ritual in itself and it is hoped that this year, the authorities will make headway in containing prices within acceptable levels to lessen the pains of the people who have borne the brunt of severe food inflation for the better part of the year. It is hoped that the Muslims in Bangladesh will shun such sinful practices, establish the true spirit of Ramadan, and be compassionate and tolerant towards their fellow people in every sphere of life.
Humayun Ahmed aged 64 breathed his last in a New York hospital on June 19 after a prolonged fight against cancer. The writer will no longer enthrall readers and viewers with his uncanny ability to weave stories around everyday lives that touched the hearts and minds of millions of the middle class and the common man. How does one pray tribute to Ahmed? A professor of chemistry, he made the transition successfully to fiction writer extraordinaire. Ahmed won the Bangla Academy Award in 1981 and Ekushey Padak in 1994.
What made him stand out from many others was his portrayal of the little things in life which often go unnoticed. The intricate relationships that exist within the family, the conflict of ideas between the older and younger generations, Ahmed excelled at bringing out ironies and pretences that exist in our society and weave stories rich in mirth that won him devoted followers who bought his books in their hundreds of thousands. Ahmed's writing extended beyond novels and he was an accomplished playwright. Some of his memorable plays include Ei Shob Din Raatri where one of the characters Baker bhai, a hoodlum with a difference, acquired a cult-like following. It was his ability to touch deep rooted emotions of society that made Humayun Ahmed's works bestsellers.
It was Ahmed who was able to produce stories that the whole family could read and his greatest contribution lies in the fact that here was not only a brilliant teller of tales and a commercial success, but who went on to amaze with his direction of award-winning films. Aguner Parashmoni, Ahmed's first foray into the silver screen won him the National Film Award in eight categories, including Best Picture and Best Director. There will always be those who will contest whether Humayun Ahmed fit the role of a model writer. His fans will tell a different story. They will remember him as the one who broke the mold and inked the lives of the unnoticed in his many books, for he was a man of all ages.
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