Obsession with tradition
Shukla Mirza recently penned her reaction (3/21) to the business community's efforts to have holidays synchronised with Sunday to match up with global business flows. In the nostalgia for tradition that is our pathology, she protests, "It is our weekly Eid or day of celebration." Dear Mirza, why do we continue to hang on to traditions, while the entire world passes us by in development and trade? According to the report "Human Development in the Islamic World," Bangladesh ranks 132d in the Human Development Index (HDI), and 73d in the Human Poverty Index (HPI). Twenty-nine percent of the nations make less than $1 a day, and 35% live below the national poverty line. Synchronizing our holidays with the rest of the world would allow Bangladesh to bring in more trade, without which we can never hope to develop.
Do you think the people living below poverty line would rather eat bread, or have their holiday synchronized with jumma? Here in New York, I've yet to meet a single Muslim whose jumma practice is effected by having to go to work that day. They go and pray on their lunch break. Then they get back to work!
Wake up before it's too late!
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.