Secularism in politics
This is to thank Mr A Mahasen for his letter under the above heading (DS-3.10.05) and congratulate ex-Mayor Hanif for the bold articulation of his views on secularism, which evinces his sagacity and pragmatism. Secularism is indeed an illusory concept and there is a lot of misunderstanding about it, particularly among the common people, which has a negative effect on the popularity of the Awami League. Secularism grew as a movement in Europe to liberate the society from the bandage of the church. So they could progress towards modernism. But the situation in our society is different. In a sense we are more secular than many other societies: our mainstream education is secular, our legal and political systems are secular (excepting some family laws), our very outlook is secular, and all these have no incompatibly with Islam, the religion of the overwhelming majority, which accepts co-existence of different faiths, prohibits compulsion in regard to religion, and ordains justice to all irrespective of caste or creed, victor or the vanquished values which are universal and essential for peace and welfare of mankind.
To conclude, the AL should give a serious thought on the views of Mr Hanif in the light of reality for its own good.
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