My country and religion

Submitted by Mo (United Kingdom), Jan 25, 2007 at 21:57

Plato, you surprise me with your lack of understanding of my faith and my ethnic origin, how it relates with each other, how we (Bangladeshi Muslims) revere and come to realise our own culture and traditions. I see time and time again you jumping into your conclusions without understanding the other point of view.

Let me explain how it is with us (Bangladeshi Muslims)…

Firstly we do not undermine our language culture and traditions in anyway, except if it contradict and goes against Islamic principles. Because our culture is somewhat similar to Hindu cultures, as we have stemmed from them originally; superstitious actions is something we do not endorse and do not consider it to be part of our normal lifestyle. Other than that, anything else which does not compromise our faith is ok.

Ever since I was a little kid, I studied 3 languages, English, Bengali, and Arabic. I learnt how to read, write and speak these three languages. I know the value of learning my own culture and heritage; I love my country respective to my faith, because I love the holy places as well, in fact more than my own country. My country has history, a lot of history, especially relating to Islam and how it was conquered.

I am a wannabe Arab in your eyes, but it doesn't matter what you think about me because my position is not unique, every single Muslim on the face of this earth knows Arabic to some extend and it is not alien to them, they know its values because of the Quran and Islam; the basic Shahadah is in Arabic and so everyone is somehow connected to the Arabic language. I believe it to be a good thing, because there is a sense of unity amongst us Muslims.

I should let you know that just because I am trying to learn Arabic further does not mean I am not learning my own language, I have memorise hundreds of poems and literature as a child and still retain many of them, for which I enjoy reciting with friends and family during our moments. I also know of many beneficial songs in Bengali and enjoy the beautiful deep routed meanings that it has to offer. I visit my country more times than I visit the holy cities. Because visiting the holy cities is a must only once in a lifetime, while my country is my life and livelihood literally, all my extended family are there and I will never undermine them in any way.

I am not fond of the political turmoil that Bangladesh has put her self in, our country is in a very bad state politically, and I resent that very much. The people who flee to neighbouring country do this because of their interests and have nothing to do with Islam. The place that I come from in a very peaceful countryside area, where everything is calm and free from politics, people are happy there and have no reason to migrate. But for those who live in places not free from politics are issues threats and are sometimes killed due to the tensions that exist, they may migrate to other countries for security.

You make a very unfair point which really shows in real light your shallow understanding of our country. Although great literature, science, art and cinema does resonate from Bengal, Bangladesh is not few of these achievements, I suggest you stop being so bigoted and actually do some research. It's sad that you would make such comments, because my vice principle and several other teachers went to Bangladesh with us (me included) on a school holiday to Bangladesh and they saw first hand the very things you mentioned we lacked.

About your initial comment about not knowing what we recite, for many people that may be the case, but they always have the option and opportunity to supplicate in their own language and dialect at prayers. The reason for reciting the Arabic is so we retain the very words to their original, reciting them in the way it was revealed.

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