Rights of Palestinians

By Sameer Ahmad Khan Mojlish, Dhanmondi, Dhaka
23 July 2006, 18:00 PM
This is a response to a letter written by a "Concerned Muslim" on the above topic. He suggested that the Palestinians should remain satisfied with what they have and not fight for the remainder of their rights because they are powerless. I would like to remind him of a simple fact--Bangladesh fought a relentless nine-month long independence war against Pakistan and eventually earned freedom. But in the process, three million Bangladeshis got killed and thousands of women were raped. Now in hindsight, is it logical to say that Bangladesh should have remained satisfied with what they had instead of losing so many innocent lives? The answer is a definite "NO". Similarly, it is ridiculous to suggest that the Palestinians should stop their fight to earn their legal rights--the right to self determination, the right to reclaim the land that has been forcibly snatched away from them, the right to live in peace in their true homeland. If the Almighty wills, Palestine will one day gain independence.

If the oppressed and repressed ones had not fought for freedom, despite being weak, then America wouldn't have gained independence from Britain, the Indian sub-continent wouldn't have gained independence, Bangladesh wouldn't have gained independence and Gaza wouldn't have gained independence from the terrorist state of Israel. If weak and powerless people had always remained silent then there would not have been any May Day.

I would like my Concerned Muslim brother to suggest ways that will help Palestinians to get back their legal rights, instead of making comments that will demean their aspiration for freedom.