Banner Advertise

Sunday, February 3, 2013

[chottala.com] Re: PM asks army to protect democracy



But AL said 1/11 was the fruit of their andolon and AL would give them indemnity if they come to power. AL kept their word and no case was filed against any of the 1/11 men for violating the constitution, undermining the democratic institutions and various misdeeds.

Similarly nothing was done about Ershad for violating the constitution and promulgating martial law. When Ershad took over power by a coup AL said they were not unhappy. Ershad's misdeeds are now history but AL made him their digit-AL partner.


On Mon, Feb 4, 2013 at 11:12 AM, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:
PM asks army to protect democracy

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed the senior army officials to resist any anti-democratic and anti-constitutional activity for continuation of the country's development.
"Stay alert so that no vested quarter can disrupt the country's forward march riding over the army's back. I hope you'll resist any anti-democratic and anti-constitutional activity with your all-out strength," she said.

Full Text:
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=267778



__._,_.___


[* Moderator's Note - CHOTTALA is a non-profit, non-religious, non-political and non-discriminatory organization.

* Disclaimer: Any posting to the CHOTTALA are the opinion of the author. Authors of the messages to the CHOTTALA are responsible for the accuracy of their information and the conformance of their material with applicable copyright and other laws. Many people will read your post, and it will be archived for a very long time. The act of posting to the CHOTTALA indicates the subscriber's agreement to accept the adjudications of the moderator]




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

[chottala.com] Re: Crocodile tears?



On Begum Zia's Washington Times Article

It would be appropriate to call Begum Zia's recent article in the Washington Times, an open letter to the US government. The letter contains some truth, some half-truth but most of it is outright ludicrousness. These are words of desperation, ironically from a two-term PM, inviting a foreign power to do on her behalf what 'her' 150 million people supposedly cannot achieve!

She started the letter by giving the US administration a description of the geographical location of Bangladesh, in case the US leaders do not have the knowledge of it. However, most of her 150 million people who remember or learned from history the presence of the 7th fleet in the Bay of Bengal just prior to our victory in 1971, failed to understand how "the United States was one of the first nations to recognise our right to self-determination."

Apparently, referring to Bangladesh government's recent trade pacts with Russia, she accused the United States "of standing idle while Bangladesh's economic allegiance shifts toward other growing world powers." May her 150 million people know what role the United States should have played in preventing the country's economic allegiance, steered by a duly elected government, to "other growing world powers?" As the leader of the parliamentary opposition, did she raise her voice against the "economic allegiance" in the floor of the parliament; the appropriate forum to do so?

A significant space of her letter is devoted to Sheikh Hasina's removal of Prof. Yunus from the Grameen Bank. Bulks of our citizens have sided with Prof. Yunus on the tussle. But Grameen Bank is not an international financial institution, and is governed by the statutes of the partly state-owned bank of the country and therefore the wrangle was solely an internal affair of the country.

Here again, what did Begum Zia expect from the US to do to reinstate Prof. Yunus to his position in Grameen Bank?

In the limited space of her piece, she has not forgotten to bring the issue of war crimes trials portraying the accused who are on trial, once again as innocent victims of political persecutions. She suggested that supporters of the accused of a "local" war crimes tribunal "would question Ms. Hasina's right to the Nobel Prize," a childish statement to say the least.

It seems she is dejected by the recent US government statement acknowledging Bangladesh's right to put the ones accused of committing crimes against humanity in 1971 on trials? She put the US government on the dock for its inaction in stopping the trial, despite, according to her, the earlier condemnation of the US ambassador for war crimes of the ongoing trial as prosecution of the "opponents of the regime."

In fact, this is one of her multiple contradictory stands on the trials. Many at times the proponents of the trials have urged Begum Zia to disclose the names of those, in her knowledge in Sheikh Hasina's camp, who should be tried for crimes against humanity committed in 1971, which she never did.

She has rightly opined that Sheikh Hasina should not be awarded Nobel Prize since "300 people have been registered missing (allegedly) at the hand of RAB," which, incidentally Begum Zia created. In the same token according to reports of Human Rights Groups, 957 people were killed in so-called crossfires during her last rule, 56 people died "out of heart attack" in the operation clean heart and 170 people died in the police custody, aside from the scores killed in the August 21 mayhem, and thousands suffered torture and death in the hands of her supporters in the aftermath of her election victory in 2001.

The most ludicrous of the assertions came when she wrote: "The simple fact is that over the past five years, Bangladesh has been moving rapidly away from being one of Asia's most vibrant democracies toward a single family taking over the levers of power." The simple response should be: look who is talking.

In fact, it is a rare consensus among the citizens that it is not one, but two families who are "levering the power" of the country and the forefront of the two happens to be her own one, not the other way around.

It was during her own tenure when there were two seats of power, one official and another unofficial. It was she who put her son as the senior vice president of the party, the heir apparent. What "seniority" does he possess, in education, in experience, in honesty, to hold a position which even does not have a slot in the party's constitution?

On the contrary, no one in the other family holds any position in the party. Their presence in the party and the in country, for that matter, is almost nonexistent. Her other son possess the unique distinction to make a place in the World Bank publication named "Asset Recovery Handbook." This World Bank-UNODC publication mentioned the alleged embezzlement of several million dollars by her son as an example of stealing national assets.

She also brought the allegation of corruption in the Padma Bridge project for which two Canadian citizens (not the company) are awaiting preliminary trials in a Canadian court under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA). Incidentally in June 2011, Niko Resources, a Canadian company, was fined C$9.5 million in a Canadian court after pleading guilty to bribing a Bangladeshi minister of Begum Zia's cabinet. It was the first and so far only plea deal struck by a corporate defendant under CFPOA.

While elaborating on the caretaker government (CTG), she has rightfully said it was Sheikh Hasina "herself [who] helped institute this rule," but forgot to acknowledge that it was she who spearheaded its destruction. She is probably banking on the short memory of "her" people regarding how she manipulated the then President Iajuddin Ahmed to destroy both the letter and spirit of the system.

She has urged the Western countries in general and the US in particular, to intimidate the government to withdraw "general preferences for trade (the most important lifeline for Bangladesh's Economy)" if the "opponents of the prime minister are not allowed to express their beliefs," a suicidal proposition indeed!

Moreover, are the rights of the opposition groups any less than what used to be during Begum Zia's regime; if not more? She has urged the Western power, to "consider targeted travel and other sanctions against those in the regime who undermine democracy, freedom of speech and human rights."

Paradoxically, the virtues she has mentioned above were the primary casualties in her tenure. Even at the current rate of depravity, it would take years for the current government to lead the nation to the darkest era of human rights where her government plunged the nation into.

In conclusion she has urged, "the world, led by America, to act and ensure that democracy is saved in Bangladesh." Dear leader, it is not any foreign power, but the people of the country themselves who are the guarantors of democracy! Our people themselves reestablished it in December 1990 removing an autocrat, they prevented its undermining in March 1996 after the farcical election of February 15, and they preempted once again an impending farcical election by rallying behind the changeover of one eleven when the essence of the caretaker system was wrecked by Iajuddin-led CTG at the behest of nobody else but Begum Khaleda Zia herself.

The writer is the Convenor of the Canadian Committee for Human Rights and Democracy in Bangladesh.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=267688

On Sun, Feb 3, 2013 at 8:50 AM, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:

Khaleda takes battle abroad

Syed Bashir

Khaleda Zia is not known for writing columns in newspapers, neither at home or abroad. But now she has written one for 'Washington Times', calling upon the US and western nations to come forward to 'save democracy' in Bangladesh.

Her attack against her rival Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is vitriolic and her delight at the World Bank action against corruption in the Padma Bridge project is unconcealed.

She is also taking a dig at Hasina , saying she aspires for the Nobel Prize

But the real catch of the column is different.

It is a bit of a trial balloon seeking foreign intervention to bring back the caretaker system, when the street protests and road blockades have not worked and the Awami League is safe in its huge parliamentary majority to knock out any bill that the BNP may be allowed to introduce for restoring the caretaker.

The million dollar question now is how Hasina and the Awami League reacts to Khaleda's suggestion of foreign intervention on the caretaker issue.

Full Text:

http://opinion.bdnews24.com/2013/01/31/khaleda-takes-battle-abroad/



On Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 8:34 AM, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:

Khaleda comes under fire at JS

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had committed sedition by urging the US to interfere in Bangladesh's internal affairs through her Washington Times article, ruling alliance lawmakers said yesterday.

Participating in a freestyle discussion in parliament for more than two and a half hours, 20 ministers and MPs said the opposition leader's article is part of BNP's conspiracy to get the war crimes trial cancelled.

What Khaleda Zia did was "unconstitutional" and "seditious", ruling Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta said, referring to her piece, headlined, "ZIA: The thankless role in saving democracy in Bangladesh".

"For this, she has to be charged with sedition. And for her stance against the country she has to stand in the dock."

Finance Minister AMA Muhith said every word in the article is false and seditious. "I can't imagine how she could write such an article."

Khaleda Zia has no link to the country's struggle for independence despite being the wife of a sector commander, he said.

Jute and Textile Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui proposed for a motion condemning the opposition leader for her article.

Rashed Khan Menon, leader of AL ally Workers Party, said the article discloses the opposition's conspiracy against Bangladesh as well as its position on the trial of war criminals.

Participating in the discussion, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni accused Khaleda of damaging the country's diplomatic relations with the US. "She put the international relations at risk," the minister said. "I am personally hurt and ashamed to see the article."

She claimed the US-Bangladesh bilateral relations were better than anytime in the past.

The minister noted Khaleda Zia through her article had asked the US to withdraw GSP facility. "How could she want it? The country's people will judge how she spoke against the country's interests," Dipu Moni said. "I am urging her to refrain from such heinous task."

Mujibul Haq Chunnu, an MP of Jatiya Party, a component of AL-led ruling alliance, said the BNP had been making all out efforts to stop the trial of war criminals.

"When hundreds of army officials were hanged through farcical trial during the term of Zia regime, no question was raised about the standard. Now the BNP is questioning the standard of the war crimes trial."

During the discussion, ministers and MPs blasted Khaleda Zia for her statement in the article that in the last five years Bangladesh had been rapidly moving away from being one of Asia's most vibrant democracies toward a single family taking over the levers of power.

Lawmakers said the war crimes trial must be completed and nobody can stop it.

Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury said Khaleda Zia had made her sister, brother and son ministers and party leaders and now she was speaking against one-family rule. The minister also questioned Khaleda's educational qualifications.

Calling for the US interference in Bangladesh's internal affairs, Khaleda Zia has shown her political and intellectual bankruptcy, the veteran leader added.

AL MP Tofail Ahmed said, "I don't want to say that she [Khaleda] committed seditious offence. I don't want to say this because she is the leader of the opposition."

Fazlul Karim Selim, who piloted the unscheduled discussion, said the opposition leader committed sedition by urging the US to interfere in Bangladesh's internal matters. "I strongly condemn it. It is part of the conspiracy against Bangladesh."

The lawmaker, too, slammed Khaleda over the "one-family rule" comment.

AL MP Fazilatunnesa Bappi said the BNP chief had taken all remunerations and allowances only joining eight of 339 sittings of parliament in the last four years.

Tarana Halim, another Awami League MP, demanded Khaleda offer apology to the people.

AL lawmaker Fazilatunnesa Indira said, "Khaleda Zia has gone mad seeing the trial of war criminals happening." She also used some unparliamentary and indecent words to blast the opposition leader.

After Indira, Whip ASM Feroz took the floor and requested the deputy speaker who was presiding over the sitting to expunge the unparliamentary words used in the discussion.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=267435


On Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 8:27 AM, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:
MBI Munshi in his FB page:

Had this been written by anyone else other than Khaleda Zia this would have been a brilliant article. I think that it is quite inappropriate for KZ to talk about saving democracy since those that actually did take action to save democracy were punished while the BNP remained silent as did the Jamaat-e-Islami. Now that both parties are the victims of AL oppression and brutality they are talking about saving democracy again! -

On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 11:07 AM, Isha Khan <bdmailer@gmail.com> wrote:

'The thankless role in saving democracy in Bangladesh'

     by Begum Khaleda Zia

The United States and its allies, such as Great Britain, have the influence to insist that a caretaker government is instituted so the views of the voters are respected. To ensure this, their words and actions must be much stronger, to keep Bangladesh from slipping away from democracy. The Western powers should consider targeted travel and other sanctions against those in the regime who undermine democracy, freedom of speech and human rights. They should say and do these things publicly, for all our citizens to see and hear. This is how the United States can ensure that its mission to democratize the world continues.

It is impossible to say in good conscience that democracy, justice and the alleviation of poverty in Bangladesh under Ms. Hasina are safe. Indeed, all are in grave danger. It is time for the world, led by America, to act and ensure that democracy is saved in Bangladesh.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jan/30/the-thankless-role-in-saving-democracy-in-banglade/






__._,_.___


[* Moderator's Note - CHOTTALA is a non-profit, non-religious, non-political and non-discriminatory organization.

* Disclaimer: Any posting to the CHOTTALA are the opinion of the author. Authors of the messages to the CHOTTALA are responsible for the accuracy of their information and the conformance of their material with applicable copyright and other laws. Many people will read your post, and it will be archived for a very long time. The act of posting to the CHOTTALA indicates the subscriber's agreement to accept the adjudications of the moderator]




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

[chottala.com] Trial of Felani killing yet to start



2 yrs on, trial of Felani killing yet to start




Two years have passed since Bangladeshi girl Felani was killed on Phulbari border by the Indian BSF, but the trial of the case could not start as yet as things remained confined to exchange of letters between the two sides over procedural matters.Proceedings in the case is yet to start due to bureaucratic complexities over physical presence of three Bangladeshi witnesses in the Indian court, a senior official of  Bangladesh Border Guard told New Age recently.

'BGB is waiting for a reply from the BSF about where and when the three witnesses should go for their appearance in the Indian court. But BSF has not replied to our queries as yet,' BGB director general Major General Aziz Ahmed told New Age.

Felani, a 15-year-old girl, was shot dead by the Indian border guards while she was crossing into Bangladesh over the barbed-wire fences on Phulbari border in Dinajpur January 7, 2011.  The brutal killing shocked people both in Bangladesh and India and drew widespread condemnation.

Three Bangladeshis are on the list of five witnesses prepared by the BSF. But Bangladesh authorities could not send them to India to testify in the court in last several months as the case remained stuck in procedural tangle.The BSF earlier recorded statements of the three Bangladeshi witnesses, including Felani's father Nur Islam Nuru , during a primary investigation of the murder.After investigation, BSF submitted charge sheet against its constable Amiya Ghosh, who shot Felani with his 5.56mm INSUS rifle.

According to Indian law, Amiya Ghosh will be tried by the Indian General Securities Forces Court (GSFC) which gave an order on October 18, 2012 to start the trial in the Felani murder case.But the court could not start the proceedings as the BSF have failed to produce the three Bangladeshi witnesses.The GSFC is equivalent of the Indian court martial.

Felani's alleged killer constable Amiya Ghosh has been allowed to stay at his station, 181BSF battalion.
The BSF wrote to the BGB authorities in October last year asking it to send the three Bangladeshi witnesses to the Indian GSFC court.The Indian High Commission in Dhaka also requested the Bangladesh government to take necessary steps to send the witnesses.

The Bangladesh government, in its reply, sought to know about the questions the Bangladeshi witnesses might be asked by the court.But the BSF refused to send the possible questions in advance.In its letter the BSF said, 'It is not possible to let the Bangladesh government know in advance about the possible questions to be asked by the court,' the sources said.Thus several letters have been exchanged between India and Bangladesh over the matter.

The BGB director general said, 'I took over a few months ago…What I know about the matter is that BGB has received a letter from BSF regarding the three witnesses whom the Indian court wants to examine.''In December last, Rangpur sector headquarters of BGB wrote to the BSF to know about the location, time and date for the three Bangladeshi witnesses to be present for their appearance in the Indian court. But the BSF has not replied to the BGB letter as yet. We are waiting for the reply,' he said.'The BGB is ready to provide all necessary support,' he added.

Meanwhile, Felani's father Nur Islam Nuru is anxiously waiting to hear that the killer of his innocent daughter has been punished.'I am the number one witness to the murder of my daughter on the border… I was on the spot. I am ready to testify in the Indian court and demand justice…,' Nuru said.

Felani's father also said that last month, a BGB member came to his house and took him to the camp of 27 Battalion. They told him that he might need to go with them to India to testify as a witness to his daughter's killing.'Later I received threats from some locals that I might invite trouble if I go to India to testify. Now I am worried…,' Nur said.'But I am ready to go to the court any day. The then home minister Sahara Khatun came to my house and gave me Tk 3 lakh. I had requested the home minister to take action against Felani's killers. But I did not see any action in last two years. I have doubt if the government is serious about it,' he said.

On the morning of January 7, 2011, Felani and her father were returning from India as the date of her marriage had been set. Her father crossed into Bangladesh by scaling the barbed-wire fences but Felani failed as her clothes got tangled in the barbed wire on the international border 947 ( between pillars 3 and 4 at Anantapur, Fulbari) and she was shot dead by the BSF. Felani used to work as a domestic help in New Delhi.

The body of Felani remained hanging from the barbed wire fences for about four hours before the BSF soldiers took it away. The BSF later handed over Felani's body to the BGB.

http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2013-02-04&nid=39017#.UQ9BKfIT9lc


__._,_.___


[* Moderator's Note - CHOTTALA is a non-profit, non-religious, non-political and non-discriminatory organization.

* Disclaimer: Any posting to the CHOTTALA are the opinion of the author. Authors of the messages to the CHOTTALA are responsible for the accuracy of their information and the conformance of their material with applicable copyright and other laws. Many people will read your post, and it will be archived for a very long time. The act of posting to the CHOTTALA indicates the subscriber's agreement to accept the adjudications of the moderator]




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

[chottala.com] PM asks army to protect democracy



PM asks army to protect democracy

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed the senior army officials to resist any anti-democratic and anti-constitutional activity for continuation of the country's development.
"Stay alert so that no vested quarter can disrupt the country's forward march riding over the army's back. I hope you'll resist any anti-democratic and anti-constitutional activity with your all-out strength," she said.

Full Text:
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=267778


__._,_.___


[* Moderator's Note - CHOTTALA is a non-profit, non-religious, non-political and non-discriminatory organization.

* Disclaimer: Any posting to the CHOTTALA are the opinion of the author. Authors of the messages to the CHOTTALA are responsible for the accuracy of their information and the conformance of their material with applicable copyright and other laws. Many people will read your post, and it will be archived for a very long time. The act of posting to the CHOTTALA indicates the subscriber's agreement to accept the adjudications of the moderator]




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

[chottala.com] The Messenger: The Meanings of the Life of Muhammad



The Messenger: The Meanings of the Life of Muhammad

Book Reivew by Soha El-Saman


 
Title: The Messenger: The Meanings of the Life of Muhammad
Author: Tariq Ramadan
Publisher: Allen Lane, 2007
256 pages

In a time when Prophet Muhammad has become the subject of news headlines generating heated debates and fiery actions and reactions around the world, deep understanding and emulation of his magnanimity and wisdom are desperately needed to extinguish the blaze.

While he is devoutly loved and revered by over a billion Muslims who can recite the details of his life and character, he remains shrouded in myth and mystery for non-Muslims. But exposure to the facts of someone's life does not necessarily mean knowing one, and reverent love can elevate someone so high in a place that distant one apart from the beloved.

Tariq Ramadan's latest book,  The Messenger: The Meanings of the Life of Muhammad, is a biography of the Prophet that aims to lift the shrouds of mystery for non-Muslims and bridge the distance for Muslims. Ramadan does not pretend to uncover any new details, nor does he aspire for his book to replace the multitude of biographies about the Prophet; in fact he admits that his work very much relies on the classics among them.

A Unique Look

What makes Ramadan's book unique is that he delves into the details of the life of the Prophet, from before birth to the hour of his death, mining for the timeless spiritual teachings and timely contemporary lessons so sorely needed in our time.

In beautifully poetic and easy-to-read prose, these spiritual teachings begin in the introduction when Ramadan reminds us that loving the Prophet means constantly meditating over his life.

The teaching continues in the first chapter, "Encounter With the Sacred," with a lesson on trials and faith, doubts and trust, and being torn between two loves. This was done by retelling the story of Abraham and, through it, drawing the spiritual line and bloodline that link the two prophets.

In The Prophet's Footsteps

In the ensuing chapters, Ramadan invites us to walk along with him in the footsteps of the Prophet as his Rab (Lord) prepares him from infancy to adulthood for the mission to come: his being orphaned young, him having a contemplative temperament, his trade, him being married to a woman his senior, and his servant.

All were signs and preparatory education for him as well as signs and reflective teachings for us today. We are called to witness the Prophet in his most difficult times and see him as both an ordinary human and the exemplary model, guide, and leader he was and continues to be for Muslims.Through the Prophet's life, we are comforted by how intimately close God is and yet awed by how so transcendent He is. Muslims and non-Muslims alike learn how the Prophet addressed issues that over 1,400 years later remain the topics of the day: the environment, marriage and friendship, the role of women, religious and cultural pluralism, the inevitable challenges involved, apostasy, conflict resolution, war, along with consultation and leadership.

Private Meditation

Ramadan does not sermonize about these lessons; in these moments, the reader often seems to be drawn in to join Ramadan in his private meditation on the Prophet's life. The reader pauses with him on verses from the Qur'an and the Prophet's hadiths at once translating and providing commentary on both.

Also, it extracts the spiritual, moral, and ethical lessons from these textual sources and the events taking place in those moments so long ago which are so relevant to our lives today.

In intentionally short chapters, Ramadan succeeds in bringing the Prophet to life to personally probe the conscious of Muslims and non-Muslims alike and nudge them to mine deeper in their hearts and minds for the better selves they are capable of becoming.
http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/about-muhammad/his-life/441575.html


__._,_.___


[* Moderator's Note - CHOTTALA is a non-profit, non-religious, non-political and non-discriminatory organization.

* Disclaimer: Any posting to the CHOTTALA are the opinion of the author. Authors of the messages to the CHOTTALA are responsible for the accuracy of their information and the conformance of their material with applicable copyright and other laws. Many people will read your post, and it will be archived for a very long time. The act of posting to the CHOTTALA indicates the subscriber's agreement to accept the adjudications of the moderator]




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

[chottala.com] Col. Beg's letter to Zia ur Rahman



wRqv‡K †jLv K‡b©j †e‡Mi wPwV


ˆmq` †evinvb Kexi : GKwU `yj©f wPwV Avgv‡`i nv‡Z G‡m‡Q| wPwVwU 1971-Gi 29 †g †jLv| wPwV wj‡L‡Qb ZrKvjxb K‡b©j †eM, wj‡L‡Qb, †gRi wRqvDi ingvb‡K| cÖ_‡gB cvVK‡`i Rb¨ wPwVwU ûeû Dc¯'vcb KiwQ:-

Major Zia Ur Rahman, Pak Army, Dacca

We all happy with your job. We must say good job! You will get new job soon.

DonÕt worrie about your family. Your wife and kids are fine.

You have to be more carefull about major Jalil.

Col. Baig Pak Army

May 29. 1971



(†gRi wRqvDi ingvb, cvK Avwg©, XvKv †Zvgvi Kv‡R Avgiv mevB Lywk| Avgv‡`i Aek¨B ej‡Z n‡e Zzwg fv‡jv KvR Ki‡Qv| Lye wkMwMiB Zzwg bZzb KvR cv‡e|†Zvgvi cwievi wb‡q DwØMœ n‡qvbv| †Zvgvi ¯¿x I ev"Pviv fv‡jv Av‡Q| †Zvgv‡K †gRi Rwjj m¤ú‡K© Av‡iv mZK© _vK‡Z n‡e| K‡b©j †eM, cvK Avwg© †g 29, 1971)

wcÖq cvVK GKUz _vgyb| wd‡i hvb 1971| evOvwj RvwZ ¯^vaxbZvi Rb¨ giYcY msMÖvg Ki‡Q| A¯¿, †MÖ‡bW, Avi g„Zz¨Ñ cÖwZw`‡bi wPÎ| †gRi wRqv ZLb †m±i KgvÛvi, gyw³‡hv×v| ¯^vaxbZvi Rb¨ jovB Ki‡Qb| Avi K‡b©j †eM, cvwK¯Ívwb nvbv`vi evwnbxi Ab¨Zg KZ©v| mKvj-mܨv evOvwj wba‡bi wb‡`©k w`‡"Qb, e­- wcÖ›U ˆZwi Ki‡Qb| `yB Rb mgi †¶‡Î cÖwZc¶| A_P K‡b©j †eM ej‡Qb, Ô†Zvgvi Kv‡R Avgiv Lywk|Õ gyw³‡hv×v †gRi wRqv Kx KvR Ki‡jb †h Zvi Kv‡R cvwK¯Ívwb nvbv`vi evwnbx Lywk n‡jv? †gRi wRqv †h cÖwZc‡¶i wei"‡× hy× Ki‡Qb, †mB cÖwZc¶ Zvi mšÍv‡bi †`Lfvj Ki‡Q?

gyw³hy‡×i AKw_Z Aa¨v‡qi GwU GK eo Avwe®‹vi| Gi gv‡b wK GB †h, `„k¨Z wRqv gyw³hy× Ki‡jI Avm‡j wZwb wQ‡jb cvwK¯Ívwb nvbv`vi evwnbxi G‡R›U? gyw³hy‡×i mgqB L›`Kvi †gvkZvK‡`i loh‡š¿i K_v AvR RvwZ Rv‡b| 1975-Gi 15 AvM÷ loh‡š¿ †gvkZvK P‡µi m‡½ wRqvi †hvMv‡hv‡Mi K_vI RvwZ Rv‡b| wKš' †hwU GB wPwV ¯úó K‡i w`‡q‡Q Zv n‡jv Ôgyw³‡hv×vÕ wRqv Avm‡j wQ‡jb ¯^vaxbZvwe‡ivax cvwK¯Ívwb nvbv`vi evwnbxi G‡R›U| gyw³hy‡×i mgq cvwK¯Ívwb loh‡š¿i Ab¨Zg Ask wQ‡jb †gRi wRqv| gyw³hy‡×i mgqB Zv‡K cvwK¯Ívwbiv Ôwe‡kl `vwqZ¡Õ w`‡qwQj, †h `vwqZ¡ wZwb AZ¨šÍ wbôvi m‡½ cvjb K‡iwQ‡jb| Õ75-G wRqvi f‚wgKvq hviv wnmve †gjv‡Z cv‡ib bv, Zv‡`i Rb¨ GB wPwV GKwU eo D‡š§vPb|

GB wPwV cÖgvY K‡i, wRqv KLbI evsjv‡`‡ki ¯^vaxbZvi c‡¶ wQ‡jb bv, wZwb wQ‡jb cvwK¯Ív‡bi Ô¸ßPiÕ| Avi G Kvi‡YB Õ75-Gi 15 AvM÷ wRqv †gvkZvK Pµ‡K m‡½ wb‡q BwZnv‡mi ee©‡ivwPZ NUbv NUvb| G Kvi‡YB, Õ75-Gi ci wRqv hy×vcivax‡`i wePvi eÜ K‡iwQ‡jb| hy×vciv‡a AvUK‡`i gyw³ w`‡qwQ‡jb| G Kvi‡YB, wRqv †Mvjvg Avhg‡K †`‡k wdwi‡q G‡bwQ‡jb| G Kvi‡YB wRqv Avevi RvgvqvZ‡K ivRbxwZ Kivi my‡hvM w`‡qwQ‡jb| G Kvi‡YB wRqv, wPwýZ ¯^vaxbZvwe‡ivax‡`i cÖavbgš¿x evwb‡qwQ‡jb| hy×vcivax, ¯^vaxbZvwe‡ivax‡`i gš¿x evwb‡qwQ‡jb, `‡j wb‡qwQ‡jb| G Kvi‡YB wRqv i‡³ †fRv Avgv‡`i msweavb KuvUv‡Qov K‡i i³v³ K‡iwQ‡jb| G Kvi‡YB, wRqv gyw³hy‡×i †PZbv‡K aywjmvr K‡iwQ‡jb|

G Kvi‡YB, wRqvi g„Zz¨i ciI 1991-G ¶gZvq G‡m weGbwc Bb‡WgwbwU Aa¨v‡`k evwZj K‡iwb, G Kvi‡YB †eMg wRqv ¯^vaxbZvwe‡ivax kw³ RvgvqvZ‡K wb‡q †RvU K‡i‡Qb| G Kvi‡YB, ¶gZvq G‡m wPwýZ hy×vcivax‡`i gš¿x evwb‡qwQ‡jb| G Kvi‡YB †eMg wRqv hy×vcivax‡`i wePv‡ii wei"‡× Ae¯'vb wb‡q‡Qb| cÖKv‡k¨B hy×vcivax‡`i c‡¶ Ae¯'vb wb‡q‡Qb| G Kvi‡YB wZwb Rw½, †gŠjev`x mš¿vmx‡`i g`` I c„ô‡cvlKZv w`‡q‡Qb|

GB wPwVi †hvMm~Î Avgiv cvB, cvwK¯Ív‡bi Av`vj‡Z †`qv AvBGmAvB cÖav‡bi e³‡e¨| wKQy w`b Av‡M AvBGmAvB cÖavb Av`vj‡Z GK wjwLZ Revbew›`‡Z e‡jwQ‡jb, ÔweGbwc‡K AvBGmAvB wbqwgZ A_© †`q|Õ

m¤úÖwZ †eMg Lv‡j`v wRqv ÔIqvwksUb UvBgmÕ bv‡g GKwU †gŠjev`x cwÎKvq GKwU wbeÜ wj‡L‡Qb| H wbe‡Ü wZwb hy×vcivax‡`i c‡¶ Ae¯'vb cÖKv‡k¨ †NvlYv K‡i, G e¨vcv‡i wZwb gvwK©b n¯Í‡¶c Kvgbv K‡i‡Qb| A_©vr wRqv Ô¸ßPiÕ n‡q cvwK¯Ívwb AvbyM‡Z¨i †h exR ecb K‡iwQ‡jb, Lv‡j`v wRqvi †bZ…‡Z¡ Zv GLb gnxi"‡n cwiYZ n‡q‡Q| GB Rb¨B RvgvqvZ-wkwe‡ii ZvÊe Avi †eMg wRqvi nvnvKvi| GB wPwVi m‡½ †eMg Lv‡j`v wRqvi wbe‡Üi †hvMm~Î cvIqv hvq| Lv‡j`v wRqv Zvi wbe‡Üi ïi"‡Z e‡j‡Qb, Ô1971 mv‡j cÖ_g mvwii RvwZ¸‡jvi gv‡S hy³ivóª Avgv‡`i AvZ¥ msK‡íi AwaKvi‡K ¯^xK…wZ †`q|Õ Õ71-G gvwK©b hy³iv‡óªi f‚wgKv Avgiv mevB Rvwb| A‡b‡K g‡b Ki‡Z cv‡ib †eMg wRqv Kxfv‡e GB gvivZ¥K fzj Ki‡jb| wKš' wRqvi Kv‡Q †jLv K‡b©j †e‡Mi Õ71-Gi wPwV e‡j †`q, †eMg wRqv hv wj‡L‡Qb Zv †R‡b ey‡SB| Õ71-G cvwK¯Ívwb nvbv`vi‡`i c‡¶ gvwK©b hy³ivóª mßg †bŠeni cvwV‡qwQj Bqvwnqvi wb‡`©‡k| Bqvwnqv Lv‡bi ¸ßPi wRqvi Mov `‡ji †bÎx, †eMg wRqv ZvB gvwK©b f‚wgKvi cÖksmv †Zv Ki‡ebB| GKB Kvq`vq wZwbI †Zv gvwK©b AvMÖvm‡bi Avgš¿YI Rvbv‡eb|

GB GKwU wPwVB w`‡q‡Q A‡bK cÖ‡kœi DËi| A‡bK AgxgvswmZ wel‡qi mgvavb|

ˆmq` †evinvb Kexi, wbe©vnx m¤úv`K


B-†gBj : 
poriprekkhit@yahoo.com


Also read:
wRqvi c«kœwe× gyw³hy×!






__._,_.___


[* Moderator�s Note - CHOTTALA is a non-profit, non-religious, non-political and non-discriminatory organization.

* Disclaimer: Any posting to the CHOTTALA are the opinion of the author. Authors of the messages to the CHOTTALA are responsible for the accuracy of their information and the conformance of their material with applicable copyright and other laws. Many people will read your post, and it will be archived for a very long time. The act of posting to the CHOTTALA indicates the subscriber's agreement to accept the adjudications of the moderator]




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

[chottala.com] Re: পদ্মা সেতুর কাজ দেয়া হবে বাংলাদেশ সেনাবাহিনীকে - please think again



Dear respected Sufi Vai,

 

Many thanks for your valuable, practical (from your wide, rich and vast experience) and rational comments.
 

I also agree with you.

Let we hope and act for the best of Bangalee and Bangladesh!
"Sustha thakon, nirapade thakon ebong valo thakon"

Shuvechhante,

Engr. Shafiqur Rahman Anu
Auckland,
New Zealand
On Mon, Feb 4, 2013 at 1:37 AM, Khondkar Saleque <khondkar.saleque@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Anu,
I am also BUET Graduate of 1977 and is working in Multi Million Dollars Energy, Water infrastructure development projects in Many countries including Bangladesh for 36 years. Many of the WB. ADB aided projects I have successfully implemented in Bangladesh
I endorse your views that Bangladesh Army does not posses technical capability to design and implement such a major road bridge which will require state of the art precise engineering skills and excellent construction  skills. Bangladesh Army can assist implementation process and act as watchdog to resist local mastani, chadabajeey and harassment of project consultants and Construction contractors. But they can not construct such a engineering intensive mega structure,.
Best
Engr Khondkar A Saleque

On Sun, Feb 3, 2013 at 4:35 PM, Engr. Shafiq Bhuiyan <srbanunz@gmail.com> wrote:

Being a civil engineer (graduated from BUET with 1st class in 1980 and worked in both Government and Private organization in Bangladesh, Oman and New Zealand) I polite disagree with this concept. I might be wrong. But I am giving my idea.

 

I ponder Engineering Core of Bangladesh Army cannot be the "main contractor" or able to carry out such a highly

·        Technical,

·        Sophisticated,

·        Complicated

·        Multi-disciplinary and

·        Gigantic work of high risk

 

Engineering Core of Bangladesh Army does not have similar or nearly similar work experience (wrt Size, capacity, complexity and technicality). It is not like Hateerjhil or a small Road Flyover project!

 

They do not have required

·        Equipment,

·        Machinery,

·        Manpower and

·        Logistic support

 

To carry out such a very technical, highly sophisticated, Multi-disciplinary, extremely complicated and gigantic work with high risk.

 

But they can get some real work experience - if they do some works as sub-contractor of main contractor, which can be used in next similar but smaller size project!

 

What Engineering Core of Bangladesh Army can do and contribute as a:

Major or main sub-contractor of the main international contractor for some civil, mechanical or electrical works, like,

·        Piling works,

·        Construction of Precast RCC girders,

·        Pre-stressing of Girders  

·        Road and pavement works

 

Beximco Engineering Ltd was main subcontractor to M/S Hyundai Ltd of South Korea (main contractor of the Bangabandhu Jamuna Bridge).

 

Engineering Core of Bangladesh Army can also be main "transport subcontractor" of all materials related to the Padma bridge project and approach roads and other road & pavement works, river training works etc.

 

They can contribute most in this item and local CHADABAZI, MASTANI could be avoided.

 

They can also work jointly in Project Management of this project and get experience to carry out such a multi-disciplinary work.

 

Army Engineering Core may be main maintenance contractor / agent after completion of the bridge

 

But they cannot be the main contractor of this huge multidiscipline project like Padma Bridge.

 
Any positive  and constructive criticism, different opinion and suggestions are welcome.

 

 

"Sustha thakon, nirapade thakon ebong valo thakon"

Shuvechhante,

Engr. Shafiqur  Rahman Anu
Auckland,
New Zealand


 


__._,_.___


[* Moderator's Note - CHOTTALA is a non-profit, non-religious, non-political and non-discriminatory organization.

* Disclaimer: Any posting to the CHOTTALA are the opinion of the author. Authors of the messages to the CHOTTALA are responsible for the accuracy of their information and the conformance of their material with applicable copyright and other laws. Many people will read your post, and it will be archived for a very long time. The act of posting to the CHOTTALA indicates the subscriber's agreement to accept the adjudications of the moderator]




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

[chottala.com] No donor found for Padma Bridge Project ?



দাতাদের সঙ্গে নিষম্ফল বৈঠক : আমন্ত্রিতদের অর্ধেকও যোগ দেননি

অর্থনৈতিক রিপোর্টার
 
 
পরের সংবাদ»
পদ্মা সেতু প্রকল্পে অর্থায়ন থেকে একে একে সরে গেছে সব উন্নয়ন সংস্থা। বৃহত্ এ অবকাঠামো নির্মাণে ইসলামিক উন্নয়ন ব্যাংককেও (আইডিবি) পাশে পাচ্ছে না সরকার। সেতু প্রকল্পে প্রধান অর্থদাতা ও দাতাদের সমন্বয়ক বিশ্বব্যাংকের সঙ্গে চুক্তি বাতিল হওয়ার পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে অন্যান্য সংস্থার পাশাপাশি আইডিবি’র চুক্তিও বাতিল হয়ে গেছে। এশীয় উন্নয়ন ব্যাংক (এডিবি), জাপানের আন্তর্জাতিক উন্নয়ন সংস্থাও (জাইকা) আনুষ্ঠানিকভাবে চুক্তি বাতিল করেছে। এ পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে গতকাল অর্থনৈতিক সম্পর্ক বিভাগ দাতাদের একটি বৈঠক ডেকেছিল। পদ্মা সেতু নিয়ে কোনো ফলাফল ছাড়াই বৈঠকটি শেষ হয়েছে। ৪৩টি দাতা সংস্থাকে আমন্ত্রণ জানানো হলেও বৈঠকে উপস্থিত ছিলেন অর্ধেকের কম সংস্থার প্রতিনিধি।
এ নিষম্ফল বৈঠক শেষে ইআরডি সচিব আবুল কালাম আজাদ সাংবাদিকদের জানান, বৈঠকে পদ্মা সেতু প্রসঙ্গে কোনো আলোচনা হয়নি। বৈদেশিক সহায়তাপুষ্ট বিভিন্ন প্রকল্প বাস্তবায়নে সমস্যা নিয়ে আলোচনা হয়েছে। প্রকল্প বাস্তবায়নে দাতাদের সঙ্গে সমন্বয়ের অভাবে বিভিন্ন সমস্যা হচ্ছে। এসব সমস্যা সমাধানে ফলপ্রসূ আলোচনা হয়েছে। এ বৈঠকে পদ্মা সেতু নিয়ে কোনো আলোচনা হয়নি।
রাজধানীর এনইসি সম্মেলন কেন্দ্রে স্থানীয় পরামর্শক কমিটির (এলসিজি) সভা অনুষ্ঠিত হয়। বৈঠকে কো-চেয়ারের দায়িত্ব পালন করবেন ইআরডির সচিব আবুল কালাম আজাদ এবং জাতিসংঘের উন্নয়ন কর্মসূচির (ইউএনডিপি) আবাসিক প্রতিনিধি নিল ওয়াকার। বৈঠকে মন্ত্রিপরিষদ সচিব ভূঁইয়া মোশাররফ হোসেন মূল প্রবন্ধ উপস্থাপন করেন। এলসিজি বৈঠক শেষে যৌথ ব্রিফিংয়ের রেওয়াজ থাকলেও গতকাল তা করা হয়নি। বাংলাদেশ সরকারের পক্ষে শুধু ইআরডি সচিব বক্তব্য রাখেন।
বক্তৃতায় তিনি বলেন, বাংলাদেশ উন্নয়ন ফোরামের (বিডিএফ) গত বৈঠকে কয়েকটি ওয়ার্কিং গ্রুপ করা হয়েছিল। প্রকল্প বাস্তবায়নে সমস্যা সমাধানে এ গ্রুপগুলো বিভিন্ন সময়ে বৈঠকে বসে। পদ্মা সেতু প্রসঙ্গে জানতে চাইলে তিনি বলেন, বৈঠকে একক কোনো প্রকল্প নিয়ে আলোচনার সুযোগ নেই। প্রকল্প বাস্তবায়নে বিভিন্ন সমস্যা নিয়ে সামগ্রিকভাবে আলোচনা হয়েছে। অর্থমন্ত্রী আবুল মাল আবদুল মুহিত এ ব্যাপারে বিস্তারিত জানাবেন বলেও মন্তব্য করেন ইআরডি সচিব।
আইডিবি’র অর্থায়ন প্রসঙ্গে জানতে চাইলে তিনি বলেন, পদ্মা সেতু ইস্যুতে এ মুহূর্তে কোনো কথা বলতে চাই না। প্রধান সংস্থা বিশ্বব্যাংকের সঙ্গে চুক্তি বাতিল হওয়ায় অন্যদের চুক্তিও বাতিল হয়ে যাবে, এটা নতুন করে বলার কিছুই নেই। এর ফলে আইডিবি’র সঙ্গেও চুক্তি বাতিল হয়ে যাবে। নতুন করে আইডিবি অর্থায়ন করবে কিনা এ ব্যাপারে পরে সিদ্ধান্ত হবে বলেও তিনি জানান।


 


__._,_.___


[* Moderator's Note - CHOTTALA is a non-profit, non-religious, non-political and non-discriminatory organization.

* Disclaimer: Any posting to the CHOTTALA are the opinion of the author. Authors of the messages to the CHOTTALA are responsible for the accuracy of their information and the conformance of their material with applicable copyright and other laws. Many people will read your post, and it will be archived for a very long time. The act of posting to the CHOTTALA indicates the subscriber's agreement to accept the adjudications of the moderator]




Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

__,_._,___

Re: [chottala.com] Saudi's sleazy underworld - BBC Report

I knew of Bangldesh origin an very resourceful PHD in Engineering from LSU ..USA..he is also an BUET educated Engineer too with same name as the email author that is Sayeed..well guess what else he is in with the Jews..the same below listed  what syed is calling sleazy Saudi Under world..Well I know for sure Sayeed is in the middle of many things..thru is Jewish contact..many successful web development as most are controlled by Isreali s and Chinese...well Sleeze is what Sleeze is goes as high as John Kerrys Lawyer..friend Sofar who was involved in many things among BURMA to LIBIYA..Sofar is also Jewish


From: SyedAslam <Syed.Aslam3@gmail.com>
To: chottala@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2013 11:49 PM
Subject: [chottala.com] Saudi's sleazy underworld - BBC Report

 
Saudi's sleazy underworld
Saudi market trader
Public market: No alcohol on sale here
Frank Gardner By Frank Gardner
BBC Middle East Correspondent
After the collapse of Taleban rule in much of Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia has reclaimed its place as the country with the strictest Islamic code of conduct.
Women must be veiled in public and are forbidden to drive.
Almost all forms of public entertainment are banned, and consumption of alcohol is punishable by flogging.
And yet some people are willing to take huge risks for the sake of a drink.

Filipinos brew the illicit alcohol, he said, while Yemenis and Indians sell it - the prostitutes tend to be from Nigeria and Ethiopia, the drug peddlars are from Pakistan

I met Khaled by chance. He was standing there on a street corner in Jeddah, chatting to a friend. Somehow, he knew at once I was a reporter. Somehow, I could tell he was an alcoholic.
His bloodshot eyes stared out from an emaciated face, his teeth were rotten stumps fighting a losing battle to stay attached to their gums. Khaled was not yet 40 years old but he appeared to have given up on life.
Darker side
He was an educated Saudi with good English and years of work experience in America, but he told me he couldn't find a job here in Saudi Arabia. Depressed and bitter, he had turned to home-brewed alcohol and imported hash.
He asked me if I was being followed. In Saudi Arabia that is not such a strange question. Here, the government controls all the media.
Western journalists are let in infrequently and then steered towards people who will talk only of progress and prosperity. With so much oil beneath the country's sands, there is, of course, plenty of both.
But with rising unemployment and falling incomes, there is also a darker side of life here that the authorities would prefer to keep hidden. Now Khaled was about to show me a glimpse of a shadowy Saudi underworld.
Neon signs
We checked I was not being tailed, then Khaled set off down the street at dusk, flagging down a taxi."'When we get there you must keep your distance," he told me. "If anyone comes up to you, say you are looking for the carpet souk."
Jeddah town centre
Central Jeddah: Far from the backstreets
We drove in silence through the streets of this steamy Red Sea trading port. Neon shop signspassed by the window in a kaleidoscope of colours. The pavements were crowded with all the people of this region: Saudis, Egyptians, Pakistanis and Somalis.
Women in billowing black shrouds squatted on the pavement beside trays of trinkets. A flashing light beckoned customers... to a discount shop for shoes.
Hidden doorways
Khaled spoke to the driver and the taxi swung right into Makhzumi Street, in the south of the city. The shops were smaller here, more intimate. The neon signs had given way to yellow light bulbs.
Rubbish was piling up in the gutter. We stopped, and in one fluid movement Khaled was out of the taxi and off down a tiny alleyway. I followed him, stumbling in the dark on a breeze block left lying on the path.
Through a labyrinth of backstreets we twisted and turned until I lost all sense of where I was. Our feet fell softly on the sand, our hushed voices bounced off walls daubed in Arabic graffiti.
From the shadow of hidden doorways, veiled women detached themselves and drifted up to us, whispering words I couldn't follow. "Prostitutes", said Khaled, "from Nigeria".
"They come here for the pilgrimage, then they stay on."

We separated, but a man began following me, stopping when I did, and pretending to study his shoelace

We pressed on. Khaled's face was sweating now, he was nearing his goal. We emerged at a crossroads and he spotted his contact - a wiry Yemeni with a popstar's hairstyle.
They ducked into the shadows to do business while I watched from a corner shop. I spotted the look-outs, the men on alert for approaching police. There was a tough-looking Egyptian body-builder and a diminutive Indian with shifty eyes.
Jail and lashes
Khaled had told me about the penalties for vice. Jail and eighty lashes with the cane for alcohol, a serious prison sentence for drugs, and deportation for foreign prostitutes.
Drug smugglers are executed. In this city of three million, he told me, different nationalities have their own specialities. Filipinos brew the illicit alcohol, he said, while Yemenis and Indians sell it. The prostitutes tend to be from Nigeria and Ethiopia, the drug peddlars are from Pakistan.
Muslim pilgrims in Mecca
Some women come as pilgrims, but stay as prostitutes
Khaled crossed the road, trying to suppress a smile. He was carrying a plastic bag with three bottles of water. But of course it wasn't water, as he showed me as soon as we reached a backstreet.
Homebrew liquor
He unscrewed the lid on a bottle and took a big gulp. It was 'sadeeki', a homebrew liquor made from fermented palm juice, retailing here at £10 ($15) a bottle.
It was then that I noticed we too were being watched. We separated, but a man began following me, stopping when I did, and pretending to study his shoelace. He could be a dealer, he could be an informer, but I didn't wait to find out.
Here in these broken, ill-lit backstreets, it was easy to lose him. When I reached a main road and slipped into a taxi I could see him standing there, looking about in vain.
As I sped north, back to the air-conditioned comfort of a hotel and a different, law-abiding world, I wondered sadly what would become of Khaled and others like him. How desperate can you get, I thought, to risk lashing and prison, for the sake of a drink?


WATCH/LISTEN
 ON THIS STORY
Frank Gardner
"Through a labyrinth of backstreets we twisted and turned until I lost all sense of where I was."
See also:

01 Oct 01 | Middle East
Saudi leaders fear Muslim backlash
26 Oct 01 | Middle East
Analysis: US nurtures Saudi ties
25 Oct 01 | Middle East
Saudi Arabia slams Western media
12 Oct 01 | Middle East
Religious warning to Saudi monarchy
12 Sep 01 | Country profiles
Country profile: Saudi Arabia

WAHABI Saudi Prostitution Exposed - YouTube

May 5, 2010 - Uploaded by 3laantis
A saudi sheikh enjoying dance with a prostitute.... Their prostitutes wear more clothes that the average American ...


Nightmare in Dreamland - housemaides in Dubai:




  1. Prostitution in Dubai - YouTube

    Jan 7, 2010 - Uploaded by herault11
    La capitale arabe aux deux visages: Le fric et le sexe! Dubai, capitale du fric et des putes! Derrière ces palaces ...
  2. More videos for brothels in dubai »

Prostitutes in Dubai - Hot Spots & Prostitute Hang Outs in Dubai

www.dubai-information-site.com/prostitutes-in-dubai.html
There are a ton of prostitutes in Dubai. This is a list of where to spot prostitutes in Dubai (Cyclone Club, ahem) along with a brief discussion on the subject matter.
  1. Beware this is the largest Brothel in Dubai - Review of Hyatt ...

     Rating: 4.5 - 343 reviews - Price range: $$
    Hyatt Regency Dubai: Beware this is the largest Brothel in Dubai - See 343 traveler reviews, 230 candid photos, and great deals for Dubai, United Arab Emirates ...
  2. Hotel full of Prostitutes - Review of York International Hotel, Dubai ...

     Rating: 3 - 96 reviews - Price range: $
    York International Hotel: Hotel full of Prostitutes - See 96 traveler reviews, 16 candid photos, and great deals for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at TripAdvisor.

Also Read:

[PDF] 

Contract Enslavement of Female Migrant Domestic Workers in Saudi ...

File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
female workers from their home countries to Saudi Arabiaand to the UAE. These incentives, coupled with restrictive contract systems, bind the female domestic ...

Foreign domestic workers suffer abuse in Mideast | Globalization ...

www.dw.de/foreign-domestic-workers-suffer-abuse-in.../a-16423615
Dec 2, 2012 – Thousands of young women travel to countries like the United Arab ... she has been working as a housemaid inDubai, United Arab Emirates. ... Numerous cases of domestic worker abuse have emerged from Saudi Arabia ...

UAE | Migrant Rights

This past July, Ethiopia imposed a ban on female domestic workers to the UAE. The Ethiopian government cited employer abuse, recruitment agency abuse, ...
 

2012 Trafficking in Persons Report - United Arab Emirates - UNHCR

Jun 19, 2012 – Women from some of these countries travel willingly to the UAE to work as domestic servants, secretaries, beauticians, and hotel cleaners, but ...

Migrant Nightmares » Counterpunch: Tells the Facts, Names the ...

Jul 11, 2012 – Migrant domestic workers in Gulf countries can expect to earn $100 ... Arriving in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Beirut and Kuwait City airports, women are ...