Muslim names

It is part of our Muslim culture to choose for the new-born an Islamic name and many people keep the name of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) as a part of male names commonly 'Muhammad' as first name or 'Ahmad' as last name. There is nothing peculiar or absurd in this traditional practice or in the use of the abbreviation 'Md'. The latter will possibly be entered in the English dictionaries some day as it gains currency. Dr Khandker's concern about the name 'Muhammad' the most common name in the world perhaps stems from the fact that it readily reveals the religious identity of a person and puts him at the risk of being victimised in certain alien societies. His observation that it is wiser (because it is safer!) to use the initial 'M' seems to indicate so.

Mr Hasan's contention that Fazlul Haq introduced adding 'Muhammad' to Muslim names is utterly baseless. The tradition is time old and found throughout the Muslim world. The counterpart of 'Sree' in Hindu names is 'Janab' in Muslim names (as is 'Mr.' in English names).