Eid-ul-Fitr and HSC

This is in response to Mr. Omar's letter (June 6). In our country, the authorities concerned often take some decisions that simply perplex me. Including a mandatory question on Eid-ul-Fitr in an public exam like HSC is one of them. And more frustratingly, there never seems to be any dearth people like Mr. Omar supporting these absurd decisions.

In his letter Mr Omar he has raised some arguments that are nothing but fickle. According to him, majority of the citizens of our country are Muslim and the rest are of course familiar with Eid-ul-fitr. But I would like to ask him that whether he considers the rest, the 10 per cent non-Muslims as the citizens of Bangladesh. I do hereby beseech his attention on 'Madina Charter' which had been signed between our prophet (SM) and the representator of the non-Muslims. The right of non-Muslims had been preserved in that charter. But as a man of twenty-first century Omar is supporting a decision that has violated the right of the non-Muslims!

Mr Omar also wrote that the Muslim and also Hindu, Buddhist, Christian celebrate Eid buying new dresses, visiting friends and relatives etc. But if the non-Muslims celebrate the Eid like a Muslim, then it is natural that the Muslims would celebrate the festivals of other religion. Now if the students were asked in a public exam like SSC or HSC to write something (mandatory) on festival like Durga Puja or Christmas, how would it appear?

Finally, I would request Mr. Omar not to support anything that hampers our communal harmony.