Film Course: Film appreciation course from September 18

Entertainment Desk :



Moviyana film society organises a two month long film appreciation course. History of film, history of Bangladeshi film, film and other art (literature, fine arts), film and other theories, film style and form, language of film, film script, film and story, cinematography, photography, sound of film, editing of film, art direction of film, film direction, popular cinema, experimental and documentary film, film criticism and many more are including in this course.



Prof Geeti ara Nasrin, Anupam Hayat, Abu Sayeed, Sabbir Chowdury, Zahirul Islam Kochi, Ratan Pal, Junaeed Halim, Amitav Reza, Biplob Mostafiz, Yasmin Kabir, Rashed Zaman, Wahid Tareque, Sabbasachi Hajra and many renown experts will conduct the course. Belayat Hossain Mamun will coordinate the course.



The classes of this course will be three days in a week from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Classes will be start from September 18. Last date of the registration is September 16. For details: 50, Aziz Super Market, (1st Floor), Shahbagh. Phone: 01718956577, 01716263578.

Subsidised essentials for RMG workers

The trade bodies for woven and knitwear, two sub-sectors of the readymade garments (RMG) sector, announced yesterday the launch of its rationing programmes to reach out some essential commodities to workers countrywide at a subsidised rate from today.
At a press conference in Dhaka, Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, the president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the rationing programme would continue through the month of Ramadan.
An announcement of a salary hike from the government is likely to come in a few days, according to industry insiders.
Fazlul Hoque, the president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), told The Daily Star that his organisation would also start distributing essentials among workers this morning.
According to the BGMEA plan, essential commodities will be sold at nine spots in and around Dhaka and two spots in Chittagong.
"Under the package, workers can purchase essentials once a week showing their identity cards," Parvez told reporters.
Each worker will be allowed to buy 3kgs and 700 grams of rice at Tk 100, 500 grams of red lentil at Tk 40 and 400 grams of gram at Tk 20.
The BGMEA-selected spots in the capital and outside are Malibagh Healthcare Centre, Postagola Healthcare Centre, Mirpur Healthcare Centre, Mohammadpur Healthcare Centre, Gulshan Healthcare Centre, Uttara Healthcare Centre, Narayanganj Healthcare Centre, Dilon Tower (Gazipur Chowrasta) and Konabari Healthcare Centre.
On the recent attacks on garment factories, the BGMEA chief said the government's lax enforcement of law and order has been invoking frequent labour unrest in the largest export-earning sector.
"The government even did not issue a press release on frequent labour unrest in the factories where the owners are paying workers the minimum wage," Parvez said.
The BKMEA has selected five spots in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Savar for implementing its rationing plan. Knitwear workers will get the essentials in a quantity and price similar to those offered by the BGMEA.
BKMEA started selling essentials to workers at a subsidised rate last year and continued it through the month of Ramadan.
Earlier, both BGMEA and BKMEA reached a consensus and submitted a proposal to Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman on Sunday to raise workers' salary.
"The government may make an announcement of such a hike within the shortest possible time, as almost all procedures have already been completed," the BKMEA chief said.
However, both the leaders of the trade bodies declined to comment on the percentage of salary hike.
They said the rationing programme is not related to the fresh salary hike.

Rivers continue to swell, inundate more areas:Worsening floods drive victims into safer places

The flood situation is continuing to deteriorate in northern and central parts of the country compelling thousands of people to take refuge in places like educational institutions and high roads.
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) said low-lying areas in 14 northern and central districts of the country could be inundated further in the next 48-72 hours as water levels of all rivers are increasing.
Of the 73 places where river water level is monitored, 39 marked a rise while 29 marked a fall. The others remained unchanged.
Crops especially vegetables and transplanted Aman have been damaged in many areas due to flooding. Significant damage to Aman seedlings has also been noticed. Fish from hundreds of ponds have been washed away, reports our correspondents. Almost all flood-affected people are facing drinking water and sanitation issues.
Our Kurigram correspondent reports: At least 108 primary schools have been temporarily closed as flood-affected people took shelter there. About 371 villages and chars in nine upazilas of the district have been inundated. Around 6,500 families have been affected in the last three days alone.
According to sources in the district agriculture department, transplanted Aman and vegetables on around one third of croplands in those areas have been damaged.
Our Lalmonirhat correspondent, citing officials concerned, reports: Low-lying areas in Patgram, Hatibandha, Aditmari and Lalmonirhat Sadar upazilas submerged due to heavy rain coupled with onrush of water from upstream.
A few thousand char dwellers of 35 chars have taken shelter on higher grounds and in schools and colleges as their homes have been washed away by the surging floodwater.
Our Sirajganj correspondent, citing Sirajganj District Flood Control room and Water Development Board sources, reports: About 1 lakh people in Kazipur, Sirajganj Sadar, Belkuchi, Shahzadpur and Chowhali upazilas are flood affected. They have taken shelter at different embankments and educational institutions.
Fish in around 400 ponds in Chalonbeel area were washed away causing a loss of about Tk 60 lakh, official sources said.
Our Gaibandha correspondent reports: Nearly 15 unions have been flood affected while Katlamari-Uria flood control embankment has become weak.
Our correspondent in Sylhet reports: Erosion at the dyke of the Surma in Kanaighat upazila has taken a serious turn. Erosion on the Kushiyara in Zakiganj and Beanibazar upazilas has already caused significant damage.
Our Faridpur correspondent reports: Around 15,000 people in Bhajandanga, Sadipur, Gadadhardangi, Bilgajaria of Aliabad union became marooned by the swelling Padma.
Charvadrasan union is also flood affected. Faridpur-Charvadrasan road link has snapped as it went under knee-deep water at several places. A bridge at Mandertolakhal of Sadipur also went under water.
Our Tangail correspondent reports: Over 30,000 people in 40 villages under Bhuapur, Kalihati, Nagarpur, Delduar and Sadar upazilas have been marooned due to the swelling Jamuna and the Dhaleswari.
Several cracks appeared on the 47km Bhuapur-Tarakandi Flood Control Embankment.
Our Netrakona correspondent reports: The overall flood situation of the district was improving yesterday.

Protest against women repression

Recently there were two good news to offer to make our women happy. On August 8, 2008 women lawyers' association especially Advocate Fouzia Karim submitted a writ petition to the High Court against sexual harassment at educational institutes.
We are happy that the learned High Court took it seriously and asked the government to take necessary steps regarding this sensitive issue.
Another event took place on the same day at Pirganj under Rangpur district, where hundreds of students, teachers and people's representatives gathered and vowed to root out all sorts of repression and violence against women through creating mass awareness. Paribarik Nirjatan Protirodh Jote (PNPJ) and Gana Unnayan Kendra (GUK) jointly organised the gathering.
One important aspect of this type of noble initiative is that those were organised at the upazila level. Such a grass root level consciousness would strengthen struggle against women repression.
These two events are most likely to strengthen our girls who have been protesting against women repression in educational institutes for a long time. It would obviously help women development. My heartfelt thanks and respects to the initiators. Lastly I would like to say to our women, "Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not come, we have only today. Let us begin."





Bilkis Rahman
Political Science Department,
Government HSS College, Magura.

Enamul Karim Nirjhar: Winner of National Film Award 2007

Architect turned filmmaker Enamul Karim Nirjhar has won the National Award for his debut movie Aha in 2007. The movie, released in 2007, has earned appreciation through participating at foreign film festivals.
"The news of winning the national award was exciting to me in the sense that I've received the award for my first movie. It has inspired not only me but the total team of Aha. "
"I initiated making the movie with the money I saved from the profit of my profession, which is architecture. I consider it a recognition of my creativity. And the award will motivate me to make more quality movie," he added.
Enamul Karim Nirjhar thinks that national awards should be announced regularly and the award winning movies should be screened through government initiative.
However, Nirjhar considers that the selection process of the national awards should be transparent. He demands changes in the mechanism of selection. He said, "I don't understand the logic behind not receiving awards in respective years of releasing quality movies such as Nirantor and Swapnodanay, which got awards at foreign film festivals."
Nirjhar further stated that negotiations are going on to release playbacks of Aha from the Indian popular production company HMV.
Nirjhar is now busy making another feature film titled Namuna, which is supposed to be released at the end of this month. Nirjhar said, "It's one of the three movies that got government grants this year. I'm really glad at winning the government grant."
However, Nirjhar claims that he is facing hurdles in making the film. He said, "It's the system that a grant winning movie must be completed within a limited time frame, which is quite difficult in terms of maintaining quality."
"Bad weather sometimes creates problems. Moreover, the required technical facilities are not available in the country. So, I've to compromise with my plan to release the film in time according to the contract with the government, which is disappointing to me."
On the theme of Namuna Nirjhar informed that the movie symbolically satirises political turmoil.

The Brahmaputra beckons Dulal Gain

The scenic beauty of Old Brahmaputra river has attracted many an artist. Great master Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin was one such painter. Then there is Dulal Gain, assistant keeper of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala in Mymensingh, who has to his credit the 'Brahmaputra Series.' So far the series comprises 40 paintings and more will are underway.

Gain, a meritorious student, was born on October 3, 1972 at village Boalia in Kolaroa Upazila, Satkhira district. A student of the Institute of Fine Arts, Dhaka University he obtained his Master's in Fine Arts with first class in the year 2000 from the Drawing and Painting Department.
Taking to this correspondent, Gain said, "I have been living in Mymensingh since 2000 and had the wonderful opportunity to be in close proximity to the Brahma-putra river. I can almost hear the footsteps of maestro Shilpacharya Zainul on the shoals of Brahmaputra. The paintings of this great artist continue to inspire me."
The Brahmaputra is not just a river; it is testimony to our rich historical heritage, he goes on to add. The river provided sustenance to thousands of people when human civilisation was in its early stages.
Gain adds that Mymensingh is the birthplace of great artists like Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, Monirul Islam and Hamiduz-zaman Khan. The art gallery named after Shilpacharya and Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Fine Arts Institute established here in 2003 are valuable assets for art lovers, he said.
History continues to inspire Gain. He has done critically acclaimed paintings such as Past Time, based on the theme of the Pre-historic Age and Ancient Civilisation. The other drawings in this series are- Winter Morning, The Musician, Art and Model, Charuchattar, Waiting, Courtyard, The Shoal of river, The Baul, Maghna Chaittanna, Unprotected Independence and Avilash.
Gain has participated in over 20 exhibitions held at national and international levels. The exhibitions include- The 8th and 9th Asian Art Biennial Bangladesh, 11th and 12th National Art Exhibition, 11th and 12th Young Art Exhibition, Berger Nabin Charukala Pradarshani in 1996, Tone National Miniature Exhibition in 1995, Water Colour Exhibition at Hotel Sheraton in 1993, Group Art Exhibition of 12 artistes in Dhaka and Chittagong in 1997, Art Exhibition organised by Greater Mymensingh Charushilpi Samannoy Parishad in Mymen-singh and a group exhibition titled 'Reflextion-7' this year.
Participating in several workshops has enriched the experience of Dulal Gain. He has taken part in workshops organised by Bengal Foundation on 'Chhabir Desher Chhabi,' Bangladesh National Museum and the Directorate of Archaeology on 'Bangladesh Heritage: Collection, Management Conservation and Display' in the year 2006. He has also participated two workshops conducted by artistes Mansur-ul-Karim and Mustafa Monwar.
Gain is a versatile artist, with sculptures and tile murals also to his credit. He designed the 34-feet Independence sculpture at Kolaroa in Satkhira. In addition, he has worked on the tile mural at the main gate of 45 Rifles Battalion in Mymensingh.
The artist lives with his wife Minati Gain and only son Sudipta Surya Gain.

A slice of life in the region :Bangladeshi issues showcased at Travelling Film South Asia '08

Two films shot in Bangladesh were the centrepieces of the recently concluded "Travelling Film South Asia 2008" in New Delhi. The four-day festival began with one such film, Every Good Marriage Begins with Tears, directed and produced by UK filmmaker Simon Chambers. The film had a common enough theme-- two Bangladeshi sisters from London being forced into arranged marriages with complete strangers from their parents' homeland. Chambers, however, gave the film a “personal and intimate insight.” As a neighbour of the family in Brick Lane, London he knew girls since they were three years old. There were, therefore, no barriers and Chambers was able to give a moving and gripping account of their lovers, joys, sorrows, hopes and aspirations.



As a westerner, of course, Chambers was in for his share of surprises. “In a way the film is not about arranged marriages; it is about the universal theme of searching for love. In Bangladesh you marry someone who you may not even know and believe that love will grow in time. In the West it is quite the opposite. It is like going shopping, If you find a girlfriend and then may be you don't like them after three years you can kind of take them back to the shop and say I'll get a different one now. The girls were caught between the Bangladeshi culture and western ideas -- you can go and have boyfriends and maybe experiment a little bit, but the parents frown on the western ways. I find this conundrum very interesting,” he explains.


The audience's reaction to the film was evident in the huge applause he received. Along with the film, the music by Tagore singer Aditi Mohsin gave a haunting quality to the work. “Even if you don't understand the music, the poetry and the words, you get a very strong sense of the sound, emotion, feelings of loss and yearnings. The beautiful, magical music contrasts starkly with these London girls who often freely throw four letter words. This is intentional because even though they are very rough outside, the music conveys what I imagine is their inner selves,” says Chambers.


The other film to win plaudits was Eisenfresser (Ironeaters) directed by German-based Bangladeshi documentary filmmaker Shaheen Dill-Riaz. The film zooms in on the aftermath of an annual famine in northern Bangladesh. Two farmers, along with their relatives, are forced to leave their homes and find work as labourers in the ship breaking yards on the beaches of Chittagong. Here they dismantle the discards of the western world: decrepit oil tankers and enormous container ships, which expose them to toxic and other perils. The compelling film bagged the "Ram Bahadur Trophy for Best Film", Film South Asia '07.


Many films left an imprint. There was the Indian film on Partition called Rabba Hum Kee Kariye (by Ajay Bhardwaj), Remembrance of Things Present (by Indian director Chandra Siddan) which won the "Second Best Film Award," Film South Asia '07 and films from Nepal and Afghanistan. Other films came from Pakistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.


The outstanding 13 films in Delhi were hosted by the India International Centre in collaboration with Himal Association and Himal South Asian, Kathmandu. This was the sixth edition of Travelling Film South Asia 2008 -- a festival featuring outstanding documentaries from the region produced in the last two years. The screened films were selected from the 45 documentaries aired at the competitive section of Film South Asia (FSA) 2007, in Kathmandu. The FSA is a biennial festival held in Kathmandu once every two years and brings together filmmakers linked by the theme of South Asia, though the filmmaker does not have to be South Asian.


The Travelling Film South Asia 2008 has already traversed many parts of the globe --Chittagong in Bangladesh, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, universities in the US, thrice in Delhi, Goa, Colombo and Sussex. On the horizon are screenings in Gauhati, the Bangkok film festival and Singapore.


Mallika Aryal, co-director of Film South Asia, says that they are open to the idea of showing the films in other places in Bangladesh -- provided they get a host. And it is free of cost in South Asia. All the host has to do is to courier the films to the next destination. For the rest of the world, there is a nominal charge of US $800. “Documentaries as a style of storytelling, are gaining momentum,” she says, adding, “If more young people ventured into the art form, the region would see better documentaries and that is our aim.”

Rangamati Rural Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project :One third done in 8 years despite time extension

The Tk 64 crore Upgrading and Rehabilitation of Rural Infrastructure (URRI) project in Rangamati is unlikely to be completed within the time limit of current financial year despite extension of the project period by two years.


Only about one-third of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) aided project has been completed though Tk 40 crore has been spent so far, sources said. The rest of the money will have to be returned if the project is not completed within the stipulated time, they said.


Only three out of 12 roads and one bridge out of at least 20 under the project have been completed in eight years, according to sources in Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED) in Rangamati.


Work on the URRI project was stared in 2001-2002 to improve road links between upazilas and the district headquarters.


LGED is implementing the project, a component of Chittagong Hill Tracts Rural Development Project (CHTRDP).


The three roads completed are Battali-Ugalchari road, Kawkhali-Ghagra road and Wagga Junior Highschool- Sapchari.


They however claimed that work of remaining nine major roads is now almost half done.


The roads yet to be completed are 4.010 km Bangalhalia-Nalkachari road, 18.367 km Jhagrabil-Rangamati-Boradam Road, 7.627 km Sapchari High School-Furomown Peak road, 5.027km Bogachattar-Ghonomor road, 6.682 km Bilaichhari-Farua Bazar road, 5.283 km Bonojagichhara-Subolang Bazar road, 10.632 km Khansamapara-Baghmara-Antapara-Rajasthali upazial road, 7.823 km Betbunia Chayeri Bazar-Barmachhari Bazar road and 11.543 km Ghilachhari Bazar-Burighat Bazar road.


Only two culverts and a bridge on Jhagrabil-Boradam-Rangamati road have so far been completed.


During a recent visit this correspondent saw only about one-third work of Bilaichhari-Farua Road in Bilaichari upazial, Betbunia-Chayeribazar-Barmachari Bazar road in Kawkhali upazial and Ghilachari Bazar-Burighat Bazar road has been completed.


Overall progress of the project work unsatisfactory though two-thirds of the fund have been spent,


As per the initial plan, the project was supposed to be completed in 2006-2007 financial year. As LGED failed to implement it within the time frame, ADB extended the project period up to FY 2008-2009.


The then secretary of CHT Affairs Ministry Md. Abdus Sabur at a meeting at Rangamati Circuit House in September last year expressed his dissatisfaction over the alleged dilly-dally in implementation of the project. He asked LGED authorities to complete the project by the current financial year at any cost, the sources said


Hill people, particularly farmers, will be greatly benefited by the project as they will be able to carry agricultural products to markets when roads will be completed.


There have been allegations of use of substandard materials in construction of roads and bridges. Recently, nine construction workers and an engineer were injured when the under- construction 72 meter long Asambasti Bridge collapsed.


Dhaka based construction firm M/S Uttar Khan Ltd is constructing the bridge involving a cost of Tk 2 crore.


Locals alleged that the bridge collapsed due to use of low quality materials. Construction was started in 2006 but the bridge is still half done.


“I hope the project will be completed by June next year. If we can not do that, the money will be returned to ADB. So, we have to implement it at any cost,” said LGED Assistant Engineer Pratipada Dewan at Rangamati.

123 die of AIDS in Bangladesh last year

Our Correspondent, Jessore




A total of 123 persons died from AIDS and attacked 365 persons in the year 2007 in Bangladesh and a total of 21 lakh persons died by AIDS in the world. Among them 17 lakh were adults and 3 lakh 30 thousand were children during this period. It was disclosed in a workshop at a local hotel arranged by Gubo Bandar Health Shava with the divisional officials of Family Planning and Welfare Ministry on 9th August. In this workshop also told that 3 crore 35 lakh people are living with the HIV germs in the world. Those who takes drug injection they were the most valnerable. Excepting this various women sea workers and truck labour and rickshaw sramik are the top most in the risk.



Those who are attacked with the AIDS most of them are 15 to 24 years of age. The government of Bangladesh are working with the help of various NGO's by the hands of AIDS.



Dr Aftabuddin Director of Health Department Khulna presided over the workshop. Speakers among others were Director of Family Planning Khulna Md Ziarul Islam, Program Manager National STD/AIDS programme Dr. Ferdous Alam Shibir, Deputy Programme Manager Dr Hanibuddin, programme manager of Sabe blood purification Department Dr Dr Belayet Hossain, National Adviser Jubo Bandav Health Sheva of Addin Dr AKM Shamsuddin, Departmental Adviser Dr Mahmood Hossain and Focus Person Director programme of Addin Welfare Centre and GFA TM Project Dr AKM Rezaul Haque.



Deputy Programme Manager of National STD/AIDS programme Dr Hanifuddin and the co-ordinator Jubo-Bandav Health Sheva programme Dr. Mohiruddin Khandoker read out the keynotes of the projects.

The month of abstinence and meditation

THE holy month of Ramadan is the only month which has been explicitly described and analysed in the Holy Quran. The very fact that the revelation of the Holy Quran commenced in the month of Ramadan testifies to the sanctity, graciousness, and divine excellence of this sacred month.

The Holy Quran testifies: "Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Quran as a guide to mankind, also clear signs for guidance and judgment between right and wrong." It was in this glorious month that Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh) was blessed with the divine Sahifa, and the Holy Taurat reached mankind through Hazrat Musa (pbuh). It was in this month of sublime excellence that the sacred Zabur saw the light of day through Hazrat Daud (pbuh). Hazrat Isa (pbuh) received the Holy Injil on the 12th of Ramadan.
Allah ordains in the Holy Quran: "Whosoever of you is present during this month (the month of Ramadan) should spend it in fasting, but if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period should be made up later."
Ramadan commences with the sighting of the new moon and ends when the new moon of Shawal is seen. Fasting is an ancient from of worship recognised by all previous religions. But Islam introduced a new spirit into the institution of fasting. For the first time in history, fasting was blessed with a systematic regulation, a scientific method, a noble justification. In the days before the Holy Prophet of Islam (pbuh), fasting meant the suffering of privation in the hours of mourning and sorrow. Islam introduced a revolutionary innovation, and al-Siyam stood not for mere suffering or abstinence but as an institution for the moral uplift and spiritual elevation of the human soul.
The restraint from the animal desire for food, drink and sex enables the attention of a human being to be directed to higher and nobler aspects. Fasting in the light of Islam helps us to overcome lust and thereby sets us on the path leading to perfection, which is to be achieved through prayers and penance, taqwa and tarawi, contemplation, acts of charity, and total abstinence from all evil acts and thoughts. The self-restraint of taqwa, indeed, has to be a voluntary effort comprising the elements of caution, alertness, and fear of Allah. Benign Providence Himself loves this glorious and voluntary attempt at self-restraint.
In his infinite compassion the Creator has stated: "Permitted to you, on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives … God knoweth what ye used to do secretly among yourselves. But He turned to you and forgave you. So now associate with them and seek what God had ordained for you, and eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast till the night appears."

Al-Siyam or the fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, is indeed a boon, a divine privilege a glorious opportunity unparalleled by any other act of piety or worship. Abu Huraira (RA) reported Allah's Messenger (pbuh) as saying: "When Ramadan begins, the gates of Heaven are opened, the gates of Jahannam are locked, and the devils are chained." (Bukhari and Muslim). Sahl B Sa'd (RA) reported Rasul Allah (pbuh) as saying: "In paradise there are eight gates among which is a gate called are-Rayyan which only those who fast will enter." (Bukhari and Muslim).

Abu Huraira (RA) reported Nabi Kareem (pbuh) as saying: "He who fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward Allah will have his past sins forgiven; he who prays during the night in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward will have his past sins forgiven, and he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking this reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim).

Anas B. Malik (RA) told of God's Messenger (pbuh) saying when Ramadan began: "This month as come to you, and it contains a night which is better than a thousand months. And it contains a night which is better than a thousand months. He who is deprived of it is deprived of all good, but only those who are denied prosperity are deprived of it." (Ibn Maja)

The Holy Prophet of Islam (pbuh) also said: "The one who fasts has two occasions of joy. One when he breaks his fast and one when he meets his Lord." (Bukhari and Muslim).

Salman al-Farsi (RA) told of Allah's Messenger (pbuh): "If someone draws near to God during it with some good act he will be like one who fulfils an obligatory duty in another month, and he who fulfils an obligatory duty in it will be like one who fulfils seventy obligatory duties in another month. It is the month of endurance, and the reward of endurance is paradise." (Baihaqi)

The holy month of Ramadan has come once again to teach us that the temporary renunciation of food and drinks, sex and greed, makes the fulfillment of the basic desires even more pleasant. Must we not forget even for a moment that there is a gulf of difference between roza and ordinary fasting.

Al-Siyam in Ramadhan can never be equated with mere abstention from food and drinks and sex. Siyam is something much nobler, much sublimer, more solemn than mere fasting. "It is an armour," declares the Holy Prophet (pbuh), "with which one protects oneself."

Let us, therefore, celebrate the month of Ramadhan in a befitting way, not through lavish iftar parties and expensive dresses (for the ensuring Eid), not through extravagance and prodigality, but through taqwa and tarabi, zakat and fitra, self-restraint and benevolence, prayers and penance. No sensible Muslim can afford to miss this blissful opportunity to learn self-restraint, to temper himself in the kiln of taqwa, and receive thereby divine mercy from the Creator.