Weekend Tribune Vol-2 Issue-8

| vo l 2 I ssu e 8 | F R I D AY, J UN E 27, 2014

4

cng fare trade

13

Integrating Madrasas

15

Jinn

CONTENTS

1

A W e ekly Productio n of

DhakaTribune

Volume 2 | Issue 8 | June 27, 2014

Editor Zafar Sobhan

News

Executive Editor Shahriar Karim

2 This Week

Managing Editor Jahangir Hyder

3 Oddities

Features Editor Sabrina Fatma Ahmad Assistant Magazine Editor Rumana Habib

Features

Weekend Tribune Team Tasnuva Amin Nova Promiti Prova Chowdhury Farhana Urmee Rifat Islam Esha Faisal Mahmud Shah Nahian Syeda Samira Sadeque James Saville

4 Feature CNG fare trade

Art Direction/Photography Syed Latif Hossain Cartoons Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy Rio Shuvo Contributors Jennifer Ashraf Kashmi Nicolas Barroso Vince Boisgard Dina Sobhan

5 Infobox Ramadan utilities 6 Top 10 Ramadan rants 7 Interview MOVE: Integrating madrasas

9

Photo story Domes of Dhaka

8 Day in the Life of A mosque caretaker 12 Listology World Cup lessons 13 Sport Home team 17 Origin story Jinn 20 Standpoint Nosy uncles & aunties

Graphics Sabiha Mahmud Sumi Mohammad Mahbub Alam Colour Specialist Shekhar Mondal Kazi Syras Al Mahmood

Regulars

Production Masum Billah

15 Legalese 16 Tough Love

Advertising Shahidan Khurshed Circulation Wahid Murad Website dhakatribune.com/weekend facebook.com/WeekendTrib Email your letters to: weekend@dhakatribune.com

18 Stay In

7

Perspective From Argentina

| v ol 2 Is s u e 8 | FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2014

We had a lot of fun coming up with the A-Z of Ramadan. We also got really hungry.

Art: Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy

cng fare trade

13

Integrating Madrasas

15

Editor’s note Ramadan Karim I

t is the best of months. It is the hungriest of months.

Ramadan is here, in all its glory.

We celebrate with an A-Z of the essential elements of Ramadan (cover), and brace ourselves for the side effects of festive delirium (pg 6), as well as the inevitable CNG fare hikes (pg 4-5).

Fortunately we have football to take our minds off of our empty bellies. Check out the list of 11 lessons from the tourney so far (pg 12) and a letter from an Argentinian on Bangladesh’s Maradona/Messi

the cover 4

19 Go Out

obsession (pg 14). We also look at how we can improve the state of our home team (pg 13).

We tour the beautiful mosques in the city (pg 9-11), and spend a day with a dedicated mosque caretaker (pg 8). We also meet a man dedicated to de-stigmatising madrasa students (pg 7).

We end with two fun pieces: a bit about jinns (pg 17) and a rant on nosy uncles and aunties (pg 20).

Happy hunger games.

- Rumana Habib

Jinn

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2 News | This week

The world in 60 seconds Syeda Samira Sadeque

Last week saw the after-effects of recent religious and sectarian violence in many parts of the world.

There’s a trend of Islamcentric violence in these accounts – one that is particularly troubling as Muslims worldwide prepare for Ramadan.

In Iraq, according to staggering UN statistics, at least 1,100 people were killed this month – with 1,075 of them dying within 17 days.

Kenya witnessed another round of massacres, most likely by al-Shabaab militants, which killed 11 on Tuesday.

Nigeria’s Boko Haram militants have abducted another 60 women and girls, some as young as three years old, in the latest kidnappings.

Closer to home, authorities in Sri Lanka have plans to dig up the site of a suspected mass grave next week, following claims that it contains the

bodies of scores of Muslims killed by Tamil rebels 24 years ago. The move comes amid criticism that Sri Lankan authorities have been turning a blind eye to last week’s violence, when a rampage by a Buddhist mob left three Muslims dead.

On Monday, the Catholic Church in Muslim-majority Malaysia lost a long-running court battle for the right to use “Allah” in the local Malaylanguage edition of its Herald newspaper, with many fearing this may curtail religious minorities’ freedom.

A court in India issued an arrest warrant against Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus, Times of India reported.

Lastly, in Bangladesh, the verdict of war criminal Motiur Rahman Nizami was postponed as he suddenly fell ill.

Egypt jails three Al-Jazeera journalists for up to 10 years An Egyptian court on Monday sentenced three Al-Jazeera journalists to jail terms ranging from seven to 10 years, after accusing them of aiding the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood.

Australian Peter Greste and Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fadel Fahmy were sentenced to seven years, while producer Baher Mohamed received two sentences – one for seven years and another for three years.

In this photo, Greste (L) and his colleagues Fahmy (R) and

Mohamed (C), listen to the verdict inside the defendants cage during their trial.The three were among 20 defendants in a trial that has triggered international outrage amid fears of growing media restrictions in Egypt. Since the army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013, the authorities have been incensed by the Qatari network's coverage of their deadly crackdown on his supporters.

News and photo: AFP

Ukraine will stick by ceasefire

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin Wednesday vowed that Kiev will stick by its unilateral ceasefire despite the downing of an army helicopter by proRussia separatists.

But he warned that “of course such actions, such provocations are extremely dangerous for getting a sustainable ceasefire.”

Ukrainian authorities have agreed to implement a weeklong ceasefire which came into force on June 21.

New Ukrainian President

Petro Poroshenko Wednesday sought urgent talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after the rebel attack which came despite ceasefire orders from their own commander.

The death of nine servicemen outside the pro-Russian stronghold and loss of two other soldiers in attacks had prompted Poroshenko to threaten to unleash a powerful new military campaign in the industrial east.

News: AFP

arrests in Pakistan after shooting at plane Pakistani police arrested hundreds of people on Wednesday after gunmen opened fire on a passenger plane during its landing approach, as fighter jets hit militant targets in the latest round of an anti-Taliban offensive.

The attack at Peshawar airport in the country’s northwest killed a female

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, J U N E 27, 201 4

passenger and wounded two crew, and will raise further questions about aircraft safety in Pakistan.

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight, landing in Peshawar from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, came under fire late Tuesday as it descended with more than 170 passengers on board. News: AFP

WFP starts aid handout as Pakistan refugee frustration mounts The World Food Programme (WFP) on Monday began distributing aid for the hundreds of thousands who have fled a military operation in Pakistan, as refugees expressed increasing frustration at delays in assistance and the prospects for peace.

It has been just over a week since the army announced the start of its long-awaited offensive in North Waziristan, dubbed "Zarb-e-Azb" after a sword used in battle by the Prophet Mohammad.

The operation is aimed

at flushing out Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants from the North Waziristan tribal district along the Afghan border, their stronghold of several years.

In this picture, internally displaced Pakistani Christians fleeing a military operation in the North Waziristan tribal agency attend a church service in Bannu. As many as 500 Christians and Hindus dwelling in the restive northwest have also left their homes amid the intense military offensive and massive civilian exodus.

News and photo: AFP

oddities | News

Say what?

World’s ugliest dog

Flying carpet in France

P

eanut, a mutt, won the World’s Ugliest Dog Competition in Petaluma, California last week. He is

suspected of being a ChihuahuaShitzu mix.

News and photo: AFP

Prayers in the air

T

3

he festival of Wei Sang, which means “burning incense,” is a traditional Tibetan festival that falls in May or June, during which people burn cypress branches, and throw longda, to worship their gods, and pray for another year of good

harvest, health, and peace.

This picture shows a Tibetan throwing “longda,” pieces of prayer paper, into the air as they gather to celebrate the Wei Sang festival, Aba town in Hongyuan, under southwest China’s Sichuan province. News and photo: AFP

A

recent event celebrating artists in France has captured the image of a flying carpet, as created by French artist Moussa Sarr. In this photo, people watch as the “flying carpet” takes off from the Saint

Fish on the move

S Finland's tax T

agency turns poetic

Jean fort in Marseille, southern France. The event was organised by the Musee des Civilisations de l’Europe et la Mediterranee (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations).

News and photo: AFP

ri Lankan auto rickshaw drivers sure know how to kill two birds with one stone.

In this photo, a fish vendor waits for customers beside

his autorickshaw, with fish in plastic bags hanging from the vehicle. The photo was taken in Colombo.

News: Desk; photo: AFP

ax authorities in Finland are turning to poetry in a bid to get more firms to file their tax returns electronically.

Starting this summer, the national tax administration in the Nordic country will send those businesses who still file tax returns on paper a reminder that e-returns are possible.

Some 70 % of firms and associations already file e-returns, the tax administration said.

Below is the poem written by the agency and translated by Reuters: “Pencil and eraser, No longer a racer.

Electronic is in - a clear win!

Come and experience, Drop your resilience!”

News: Reuters

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4 feature | cng fare trade

The green monster

in the city

Between drivers’ grudges and blame games with the owners and the police, it’s often quite a battle for passengers to use CNGs Promiti Prova Chowdhury

“I

f the traffic sergeant stops us, tell him I am following the meter.”

In the capital, this conversation is often how our CNG rides begin. Thus passengers are often forced to lie to the police officers at check-points when questioned about their fare.

Common worries for people who depend on the city's green auto-rickshaws include: being overchraged, not being delivered to one's destination despite having agreed to pay twice or three times the usual rate, and witnessing the drivers getting into heated arguments and scuffles among themselves.

Ishtiaque Chowdhury, who runs

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a business in Tongi and lives in Adabar, says: “Sometimes when the bus is late, I opt for a CNG. It seems like Tk300 is a fixed rate – they always blurt it out like a parrot!”

“Previously the drivers used to agree to go by the meter with an additional Tk20-30. Nowadays, even that doesn’t work,” adds Chowdhury.

Sadia Sobhan, a homemaker, once tried to tell a police officer the truth about the fare, but was faced with an unpleasant experience.

“While returning from Mirpur, we were stopped at a check post and the police officer asked me what rate he was going by. I answered that driver had charged Tk30 extra. Then the officer

checked his papers, fined him, and told him to take me to my destination according to the meter price. He kept swearing for the rest of our journey, and charged me the extra Tk30 in the end anyway.

So, both my time and money were lost.”

Chowdhury voiced sentiments felt by many: “The city dwellers are hostages at the hands of the drivers, especially during the busy hours of the day.”

Drivers’ grudges

The drivers, on their part, term the fare fixed by the government “unjust,” considering the rise in the prices of essentials, and the fact that the owners of the vehicles

overcharge them.

The green auto-rickshaws were introduced in 2004, when the government also set the fares and owners’ deposits. The process is managed and monitored by the communications ministry with the help of police and the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).

According to an updated fare chart issued by BRTA in 2011, the charge for the first 2km is Tk25, Tk7 for each subsequent kilometre and Tk1.25 per minute of stoppage.

Additionally, drivers are supposed to pay vehicle owners Tk600 per day as rent.

However, Dhaka Metropolitan CNG Auto-Rickshaw Owners’ Association President Md Barkat Ullah Bhulu says a change is expected.

“Negotiations are ongoing with the government to increase the minimum fare, per kilometre charges and to rebalance the deposit – ensuring a 10% profit for both sides. The government seems to be cooperative but nothing can be said until a clear declaration is made,” he told us.

Ibrahim, an auto-rickshaw driver, says: “The owners never follow this government-fixed rate.

We now have to pay Tk850-900 to the owner as daily deposit. They are powerful, and it is futile to lodge a case against them.”

Bhulu’s account differs. “We buy one vehicle at Tk7-8lakh. The drivers only bear the fuel expenses while we bear the maintenance costs, garage rent, licence renewal and many other things,” he says.

“If we get only Tk600 as daily deposit then we would have only around Tk470 in hand. This is not profitable for us either.”

However, that is not explanation enough for Ibrahim, who has to account for other expenditures as well.

“I drive the rickshaw from 9am

5

Ramadan utilities Photos: Mahmud Hossain Opu

to 9pm. In between, I bear the expenses for fuel, and my personal expenses like tea and food. So, at the end of the day my income stands at only Tk300-500,” he says, further alleging that traffic sergeants often harass them with the excuse of checking the fares.

However, Md Shah Abid Hossain, deputy commissioner (trafficnorth) says: “It is very easy to point the finger at the police. I admit that there have been some irregularities; however, the surveillance is much stronger than before. If any CNGrun auto rickshaw driver is found to breach the law he is fined Tk400450. For being unregistered, having an unfit vehicle, or no meter, he is fined more. It adds up to around Tk2,000-2,500.”

“We ask the passengers to lie to police and they do so to save time.

But the police, after letting the passengers go, take us aside, charge a fine and also take bribe,” claims Ibrahim.

Rabiul Islam, another autorickshaw driver, says during Ramadan there are fewer passengers so the drivers may charge more.

This will likely increase the woe of commuters, especially given the sense of urgency that tends to engulf the city during Ramadan.

The blame game

While each member of the system has their own explanation, the blame is often passed on to BRTA, whom Hossain maintains are responsible for monitoring the enforcement of the law.

“BRTA is responsible for giving licenses and setting rates. Here is a conflicting situation: 99% of the time the passengers do not complain and give in to the demands of the CNG drivers regarding the price. According to the Motor Vehicle Act, the privately

owned three wheelers cannot run commercially.

However, currently there are more privately owned three wheeler auto rickshaws than the meter-run ones. This is because the BRTA has provided them with licenses. These irregularities need to be addressed.”

Abid mentions a smart card which BRTA has recently launched.

“If any driver is fined for breaching the traffic law, he can now pay the fine by swiping the card. So his documents are not immediately seized. This reduces the hassle for the drivers.”

According to Bhulu, both the fare and the deposit should be increased as the price of everything has increased over the last few years.

“There is no question about the fact there is a chaos regarding the CNG fares. But, since 2004, rates have been increased only twice. They have to be re-adjusted, considering the rising cost of daily necessities,” he told us.

Bhulu said negotiations were ongoing among representatives of owners, drivers, the communication ministry, and the Consumers Association of Bangladesh.

“If any owner or driver does not adjust their meters after the revision of fares, punitive measures will be taken against them,” he added.

Sharifuzzaman Sharif, executive director of Nagorik Sanghati, blames an unwillignness to enforce the law on the government’s part.

“BRTA has to be more active and the communication ministry seems to be more focused on the license issue than the fares.”

“Furthermore, more public transport should be introduced like quality buses, to curb the dominance of the auto-rickshaws” he said.

.

As Ramadan knocks at the door, the city's utility providers prepare for the unusual daily pattern. Citizens fire up their stoves before sehri, then rush home en masse to cook for iftar meals, with a lull in the kitchen in between. With the extra pressure of peak shopping and traffic, it's quite a logistical challenge Farhana Urmee

Water

Bigstock

Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) takes extensive measures to cope with the increased demand for water during Ramadan: 10 deep tube wells are being installed for Ramadan, in addition to the 671 deep tube wells they are currently operating.

46 water carrying trucks and tractors will be on standby 24/7 to distribute water to public places.

WASA will ensure that mosques get an uninterrupted supply of water.

405 extra generators have been set up to provide alternate power connections for at least 215 water pumps, so that the water pumps do not need to stop if power is in short supply.

11 vigilance teams to monitor the whole system of water supply and distribution in the city during Ramadan. A hotline (WASA link 16162) is also open 24/7 for WASA customers during Ramadan, so they can inform the authorities if there are any problems.

machinery during the peak hours of iftar and sehri.

Rosters have also been changed in the control rooms to try to provide uninterrupted power supply during these peak hours.

Mosques have been provided with dual power connections, to provide a peaceful tarabi time for mosque-goers.

Titas Gas has taken measures to meet the extra demand, according to Mir Mashiur Rahman, director of operations. CNG filling stations in Dhaka will be open 24/7 from June 27. The director is promising a better gas situation this Ramadan compared to last year.

Law and order Electricity

Mahmud Hossain Opu

Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) urges customers not to waste power this month by using electricity consuming gadgets and

Bigstock

Gas

Syed Zakir Hossain

Masudur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), says security will be beefed up over Ramadan, especially at shopping centres and transport terminals.

The DMP will be ready to cope with any emergency, he said.

.

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6 listology | Ramadan rants

10 Signs

it’s Ramadan in Dhaka

Ramadan, being a holy month in the Islamic calendar, is a time when we see a spike in religious fervour amongst Muslims – the casual and dedicated alike. But beyond the fun and festivities, what are some of the side-effects of Ramadan? Sabrina Fatma Ahmad

The waking dead

The fast(ing)

So you thought the Fifa season was playing games with your sleep schedule?

Try a month of nights punctuated by late-night sehri meals, and longer prayer hours, all the while getting through the day on an empty stomach. Within then first week of Ramadan, shops and offices are populated by the drowsy and the sleep deprived.

Dhaka’s traffic is bad enough on a normal day to make an angel swear. Come Ramadan, and the hunger and sleep deprivation make for shorter tempers, and it’s all unleashed on the streets.

From a rise in instances of furious horn honking, to raised voices and the frequent swear words, it’s cranky Dhaka on the road.

Don’t even get us started on the pre-iftar rush.

Hold your breath

and the furious

Now you see me ... The Hunger Games

Come together

The al fresco stalls aren’t the only ones turning the hungry minds away from the ascetic to matters more gustatory.

With the all-you-can-eat offers, the iftar and now sehri dawats, it’s hard to remember sometimes that the defining feature of Ramadan is the part where you’re not eating.

If you’re out shopping right before iftar, and can’t make it out of the shopping complex by maghrib, magic happens.

As soon as the azan is heard, business comes to a halt, mats are rolled out, food distributed, and shopkeeper and customer alike sit down to break the fast and share a meal.

One sad side effect of all this fasting is halitosis, and it’s not made any better by the extra zealous types that eschew brushing teeth for fear of anulling their fast by accidentally ingesting water. Put enough of them in a closed space, like an office floor, for example, and ... well, we’ll let your imagination tell you the rest.

It’s not just you; there are more rickshaws and beggars on the streets than usual.

With the promise of charitable motives leading to looser pockets, particularly during the countdown to Eid, people flock to the capital city, some looking for seasonal employment, others for handouts.

Bombs away

... now you don’t

Another side effect of these earnest efforts to keep oneself from accidentally ingesting liquids, even those generated by one’s own mouth, is an increase in spitting. Come Ramadan, and all the world is a spittoon in the eyes of these enthusiastic rojdaars, and every day just another loogee (spitball) contest.

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Syed Zakir Hossain

Pavements, what pavements? The few sidewalks left undamaged in the city are quickly taken over by open-air stalls offering deep-fried iftar “goodies” with generous helpings of flies. For a month that’s supposed to focus on abstinence from food, you certainly see more of it out in the open than usual.

One hand in my pocket Or three. From the rise in the prices of essentials, to the outrageous “Eid shopping” invoices, to the overeager traffic policeman who suddenly decided that your parking is illegal and deserves a ticket, to the service providers asking (demanding) “baksheesh,” everyone’s got their eye on your wallet.

I walk these empty streets That small window between iftar and the tarabi/Eid shopping rush? The streets are empty, the food stalls packed away for the day, and there is sweet, sweet silence devoid of horns and microphones. Pure bliss.

move: Integrating madrasas | interview

7

CHANGING THE LENS In conversation with Saiful Haque, the man working to destigmatise madrasa students Syeda Samira Sadeque

M

adrasa students of Bangladesh – who are often seen through the same lens as terrorism or Jamat and Hefazat activism – have a story to tell that is different from the one commonly believed by civil society.

Saiful Haque currently works with nine madrasas. Through his organisation MOVE, he and seven others are working to change this perspective. MOVE teaches the students about advocacy, how institutions work, about the constitution, about their rights, their responsibility to state and vice versa.

Saiful shares his experiences in our interview.

Why did you choose to work on this?

This is a social issue and we have to address it. The mainstream community and the Dhaka-based elitist civil society tend to portray madrasa students negatively, claiming madras a breeding ground for extremists, without any firsthand experience with them.

Our civil society does not spend the time to understand them; they instead just make judgments.

How do you approach them?

If we can bypass some controversial issues and address the basics, there is hope that one day they themselves will ask to address the larger, more controversial or more complicated issues.

For example, discussing adolescent healthcare or family planning is taboo for them.

But if you break it down, into a logical chain of questions and explanations, it’s a lot easier for them to relate to.

Traditional NGOs will talk directly about incorporating sex education or family planning, and of course this conversation is not welcome in the madrasas. But if you sit with them, and mould the question differently, they are much more accepting and will even express interest. But the ultimate result depends on how we approach these issues with them.

We must move away from the elitist view; we must get rid of the attitude that we should decide what they do.

What were some of the challenges in addressing them?

They have an objection to the word “reform” because it somewhat contradicts the status of certainty/ permanence that Quran has in their lives. However, if we bring in the scientific aspect, it helps.

When I brought in the comparison between science and Islam, drew parallels and then told them many believe the faith-based approach is putting Islam on the back foot, the madrasa leaders were receptive. They were concerned about changing that.

They were a bit reserved about the constitution being taught as well.

We explained that Quran is an important document in every Muslim’s life, and similarly, the Constitution is the binding principle by which a state is run.

The madrasa education system has no provision to learn about the constitution, civil law, electoral law – and these are needed.

What are some of the positive observations you’ve made?

They are excellent learners.

We’re talking about students who memorise the Quran – their learning and application capabilities are excellent.

What are some of the misconceptions our civil society has about them?

There are many. For example, many NGOs promote the idea that madrasas don’t allow newspapers because they don’t want their children to learn about the politics.

This is not true. Their argument for not having newspapers is the Islamic restriction on viewing men and women. Men aren’t allowed to see pictures of women, and vice versa, so they cannot officially allow newspapers which have pictures of celebrities.

What about the politics of madrasa students?

They mostly want to stay away from it. Yes, there’s a group that is Jamaat-inclined, but 95% aren’t bothered because they have their own issues to deal with.

Madrasas often say: “Have you

Saiful Haque, founder and president, MOVE

heard of our students killing each other? Maybe, a small pocket of our students are involved with or influenced by militancy, but that’s everywhere. So why call us extremists? That’s you guys.”

And we had nothing to say – because it’s true. This again shows why we can’t make judgments about them, and call for reforms or initiatives without getting to know them.

What role does civil society have to play?

Civil society has to open up to the concept that they are not

Photo: Courtesy

extremists. If you assume first they are extremists and/or hardcore conservatives, then you can’t work with them. You have to create the space for them.

Qwami madrasas seem very eager to be incorporated into the mainstream system, but how we do that is on us.

But our system, through social exclusion and stigmatisation, is leading them to the wrong end.

Instead of pressurising them to change their mindset, we should work towards changing our perspective – our lens for viewing them.

.

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8 Day in the life of | A mosque caretaker

Khadem at work

For the man who looks after the needs of the mosque, his life revolve around the times of prayer Shah Nahian

I

t is the last prayer of the day at the sector 10 mosque in Uttara. While everyone slowly takes their leave, Mohammed Joshimuddin stays back. They are the khadems (caretakers) of this mosque, and for them, the mosque is also the place they call home.

In more established mosques, including others in the same sector, the khadems have the option of going home for the night. But the sector 10 mosque is still under construction, so Joshimuddin must stay to keep watch. Joshimuddin used to work at a department store in the Amir Complex. When his brother-inlaw told him about the mosque needing a caretaker, he wasted no time in applying. Now two years into the job, Joshimuddin rarely wanders far from his work area.

The daily routine

At 3am, he starts off his day preparing the mosque for prayers.

They must unlock the gates, sweep and wash the floors, before laying out the prayer mats on all four floors.

After fajr prayers, he takes a break for breakfast and has a little leisure time. He rarely ever leaves the mosque during this time though.

By early morning, the construction work begins.

Joshimuddin must prepare the tools, and anything else that’s required, before the construction workers arrive.

As soon as the construction work starts, the khadems help them in any way they can – fetching tools or even working alongside them.

Their work continues

throughout the day.

At zohr and asr, construction comes to a halt. For each prayer, Joshimuddin must again prepare by sweeping and cleaning the floors and putting the mats out, then afterwards they clear them away.

Around 6pm, the construction work usually ends. But for the khadems the day is far from over.

Joshimuddin now takes a half an hour break.

He goes out for some tea and adda at the nearby tongs (tea stalls).

Before magrib 6:30pm, the break is over, the khadems return to the mosque.

After esha, they are done for the day, Joshimuddin takes time to relax and have their dinner.

Until about midnight, Joshimuddin, a night owl at heart, likes staying up relaxing

and chatting with friends and neighbours.

Joshimuddin’s job proves to be demanding and is a lot of hard work. But given the chance, would he like to return to his old life? His answer is an absolute “NO!” He absolutely loves what he does. He does not mind the physical labour or the working hours. As long as he is close to Allah, he’s says he’s happy.

“You let the ones you love the most share a home with you. I’m a stranger to you. You won’t let me live in your house. But the mosque is the house of Allah. The way I see it, Allah loves me and he has opened the doors of his house to me. For that, I am honoured and I’m grateful,” he said. “I believe this is bringing me closer to Allah.”

.

Holy days Fridays are the most difficult days.

Joshimuddin explains: “So many people show up for Jummah prayers. On those days, not only do I have to prepare the mosque for prayers, but I also have to set out prayer mats on the streets.”

“By the time I’ve prepared the mosque and streets, showered and gotten ready for the prayers

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myself, I often have to stand under the sun because so many people show up, and there is no more available space.”

During Ramadan, their routine mostly stays the same, apart from fasting throughout the day and preparing iftar in the evening.

Anyone showing up at the mosque is more than welcomed to join him for iftar.

Khadem Mohammed Joshimuddin

Shah Nahian

CITY OF MOSQUES | Photo story

9

Dhaka’s domes Dhaka is known as the city of mosques. Mosques are made for worship but amid the hustle and bustle of the city, many don’t take time to appreciate their beauty. Some of the mosques in Dhaka have remarkable architectural style Photos: Syed Zakir Hossain

Turn for more photographs

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10 PHoto story | City of mosques

Bangshal Jame Mosque This old Dhaka mosque is built in a Mughal architectural style.

The most noteworthy thing about it is its stunning domes. But since the mosque is surrounded by buildings on all sides, the only way to appreciate the domes is from above.

Located in: Bangshal

Kasaituli

Mosque In addition to the “chini tukra� ceramic mosaics, what sets this mosque apart from others are its minarets and its use of fine floral motifs.

Located in: Old Dhaka

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11

Saat Masjid

This is an old image of the ancient mosque. Since then, it has been whitewashed. The mosque was built in the 17th century, originally situated close to the Buriganga River.

Located in: Mohammadpur

Khan Md

Mridha Mosque This moqsue, located near Lalbagh Fort, is in Mughal style.

Mosques of this type are usually two storeys. The ground floor was never used for prayers, but as lodging for those who needed to spend the night.

Prayers only take place on the top floor.

Located in: Lalbagh

Dewan Bari Mosque If you come across this beautiful mosque, take a moment to observe its embellishment with “chini tukra.� This is a feature common in late Mughal/early colonial architecture.

Located in: Gabtobli

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12 listology | World cup lessons

11 things this tournament has taught us so far

Brazil 2014’s early lessons: Catenaccio is dead, Japan fans are hygenic, and bump-and-grind mascots should know better Spotting yourself on the big screen can change everything The host broadcaster’s match directors are staying consistent in two key areas: 1. Cutting to a lingering shot of an attractive female fan once every seven minutes; 2. Cutting to a group of miserable fans whose side are trailing and waiting to see if they instantly switch to hysterical waving. They always do.

Suárez’s hunger is a good bet Luis Suárez bites again.

In Tuesday night’s game against Italy, the Uruguayan predator proved to have an insatiable appetite for the flesh of his foes. Literally.

Suárez bit Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini, leaving marks on his shoulder. The infraction may cost him a two year Fifa ban.

He has bitten fellow footballers three times. In 2010, he was suspended for biting PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal on the shoulder. In 2013, he bit Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanović on the arm and was suspended from 10 games.

167 people cashed in on a bet that Luis Suarez would bite someone at the World Cup, put up as a joke on a Norway gambling website, according to ESPN. “You’re more likely to be bitten by Luis Suárez than a shark,” tweeted SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium on Wednesday.

Spying has moved on Snooping on training camps used to be done by men in bushes – now it’s done by drone. France complained to Fifa after spotting one monitoring their leg-stretches

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There's no piece of kit that can’t be swapped The tournament’s over-tight shirts – a tough look for middle-aged fans in replica tops – have been widely swapped as usual, but so have shorts – former Sevilla team-mates Ivan Rakitic (Croatia) and Stéphane Mbia (Cameroon) surprising stewards in the tunnel postmatch.

Mascots should know better The controversy around the official 2014 mascot, Fuleco the armadillo, started early – campaigners pointing out that the endangered species it represented was going to be much more endangered by the World Cup. Then came this: Fuleco, designed to appeal to 5-12 year olds, appearing on stage at a Fan Fest to do some bump-andgrind dancing with models. at Botafogo’s Santa Cruz stadium, causing the tournament’s first set-to. Didier Deschamps: “We want no invasions of privacy.” Hugo Lloris: “It was a clever device.

We heard it. Then we saw it.

What could we do but kick balls at it?”

Vanishing foam is here to stay Holland’s Bruno Martins Indi was royally indignant when a smudge of it landed on his boot, but otherwise the shaving-style spray – a mix of butane, isobutane and propane plus water and a foaming agent – has been a hit with officials, fans and broadcasters. It will be used in the Champions League next season.

Japan fans are the game’s most civilised Images of the visitors carrying out post-game litter-picking sweeps – a show of respect to the hosts – caused national pride back home, with the Kyodo News agency reporting: “Despite defeat, the charisma of Japan fans wins hearts in Brazil.”

It is possible to make a decent World Cup ball 2010’s Jabulani beachball took a pasting – David James calling it “dreadful” and “horrible,” Hugo Lloris calling it “a disaster.” This year’s Brazuca has flown far better, thanks to a rougher surface aimed at giving it “more grip, touch and stability.”

Anthems sound better a cappella Fifa limits instrumental backing to 90 seconds, but Brazil, Chile and Colombia fans do the rest on their own.

“When we hear the anthem sung like that, we get extra motivated,” says Thiago Silva. The best individual anthem-reaction was Ivory Coast’s Serey Die, who burst into tears. “It was the excitement of serving my country.”

Handshakes

don’t solve racism Sepp Blatter’s plan didn’t work, after all. The sad reality was an investigation into reported racist chants, anti-semitic banners and homophobic slurs – the latter focused on Mexico fans’ “puto”/”fag” chant. Mexican TV host Martha Figueroa says the critics should lay off.

“Why do they want to take away this cheer that identifies us, that is lovely, that is euphoric, and that is in no way homophobic?”

No one shakes hands anymore Players and officials have upgraded Fifa's Handshake for Peace into a hand clasp plus optional shoulder bump.

Brazil’s only handshake of note so far was a mascot

trying to greet Lionel Messi and being left hanging.

“I didn’t see him,” said Messi. “I’d never do such a thing to a boy.”

Home Team | sport

13

A Winning Strategy

How to revitalise Bangladeshi football Shishir Hoque

T

wo weeks ago, I looked at the pre-1990’s golden age of Bangladeshi football, and its subsequent slip into the doldrums. Sadly, the glory days now seem long gone. So now the question is: What can be done to bring them back?

YOUNG BLOOD

I believe that in order to cure the crisis gripping Bangladeshi football at present, one must start at the grassroots level. Other than doing more to promote local and highschool football leagues, the main thing the country needs is more football academies. It is imperative for all top-flight clubs to have at least one youth academy each. We currently have only one dedicated football academy, the Sylhet BKSP, and that too has yet to be inaugurated.

The federation must take steps to persuade the clubs to build their own youth academies and create opportunities for young and talented footballers by hosting youth football leagues regularly.

They must understand the fact that almost every international footballer has come from a club’s youth academy. Sheikh Jamal became the first club in Bangladesh to build their own youth academy last year, yet the two most popular clubs – Abahani and Mohammedan – have yet to set up their own.

START A FOLLOWING

The support of fans during a game is also paramount. It definitely encourages players to perform better in every game, but the average number of spectators in the league is very low. Most of the premier league clubs do not have their own home ground. This difference becomes crystal clear when a league match is played outside Dhaka – at Feni Soccer Club’s Bhasha Shahid Salam Stadium, or Muktijoddha Sangsad’s Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj for instance – where the galleries are fully packed with home crowds. In contrast, most of the premier league clubs based in Dhaka play at only one venue: Bangabandhu National Stadium.

There are some positive signs though. The domestic football league is now being staged regularly, compared to the situation in the early 2000s. And apart from the Bangladesh Premier League,

The Bangladesh national team with coach Lodewijk de Kruif

three professional football tournaments – the Federation Cup, the Independence Cup and the Super Cup – take place on a yearly basis. Club football is becoming more and more competitive as well. The time when only Abahani and Mohammedan vied for the title is over; with the rise of new powerhouses like Sheikh Jamal who, on paper, have the best squad in the league. The Dhanmondi based club united the whole nation when they reached the final of the 118th IFA Shield in Kolkata this year.

TROUBLE AT THE TOP

Nevertheless, big-budget clubs like Sheikh Jamal are also responsible for ruining the careers of a few promising local players. They signed talented players like Toklis Ahmed, Shakhawat Hossain Rony and Mobarak Hossain Bhuiyan to strengthen their squad; but most found themselves on bench, with priority given to foreign players. The consequences were appalling for both the national team’s prospects and the players themselves.

All the efforts of the Bangladesh Football Federation to regularise domestic football in Bangladesh, and to make it more competitive,

have one key purpose: To develop the standard of the national team.

But due to a lack of international experience, and the instability of the coaching staff over the past decade, the national team’s performance has been very inconsistent. The last decade saw a series of managerial changes in the national team. In 2006, Bangladesh reached the quarter-finals of the AFC Challenge Cup under Argentine coach Diego Andres Cruciani, and in 2010 Bangladesh won the 11th South Asian Games on home soil under the Serbian Zoran Djordjevic, who left in February of the same year.

The national team’s current coach, Dutchman Lodewijk de Kruif, started with a bang. Bangladesh was put in some solid and steady displays with his first assignment at the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers last year. Racking up two emphatic wins over hosts Nepal and the Northern Mariana Islands, only to be edged out by group winners Palestine. And the reward for their resolute showing was encouraging: A 12-place move up the world rankings, lifting them to an eightmonth high of 157th. The Dutch head coach, however, came in for huge criticism when Bangladesh

Photo: Mumit M

made a hash of things in the SAFF Championship in Nepal, crashing out in the group stages without winning a single game.

HOME AND AWAY

De Kruif has always said that international exposure is the most important ingredient in improving the national team. However, Bangladesh does not have a single scheduled international fixture this calendar year.

Responsibility lies with the federation. They need to take the initiative and hold friendly matches more frequently, at least against neighbouring countries like India, Nepal and the Maldives. This will, in turn, sharpen the team’s skills and enhance the technical aspects of their game.

BFF chief Kazi Salahuddin, considered the greatest ever Bangladeshi footballer, also happens to be president of the South Asian Football Federation.

What he does, in his position as the supremo of football’s governing body in South Asian region for the foreseeable future, will go a long way in determining the fortune of Bangladeshi football.

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14 perspective | from argentina

Argentina’s love

for Bangladeshi supporters

A love letter from the cradle of the football world to the land of its biggest fans Nicolas Barroso

A

popular saying used by Argentinean journalists is: “If you’re in trouble far away from home, just say you’re a friend of Maradona or Messi.”

This proverb might sound like nonsense, but its the most best explanation of what football has turned into over the past few years. Globalisation and football are two sides of the same coin.

Bangladeshi fans would feel right at home with those from Argentina or Brazil, arguing with equal passion in the important debates...

Football, Argentinean style

Our Bangladeshi brothers

The Bangladesh phenomenon is magic.

Bangladeshi fans would feel right at home with supporters from Argentina or Brazil, arguing with equal passion in

Nicolas Barroso is a Journalist from Argentina

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, J U N E 27, 201 4

A perfect union

The first gift a child born in Argentina gets is the father’s favourite team’s jersey. The second gift? A football the important debates: Brazil vs Argentina; Pelé vs Maradona; magic vs individual skill; Albiceleste vs Verdeamarella; caipirinha vs. mate; Neymar vs Messi; Zamba vs Tango.

They understand how this rivalry has grown over the years with matches and tournaments.

Bangladesh, like Argentina and

Brazil, is one of those places where football is lived intensely.

Brazilian fans comment about their team’s historical good footwork. With Pelé as the most representative figure of its technique, Brazil has brought five World Cups into its trophy cabinet. And its football history is peppered with names such

Vince Boisgard

Football in Argentina is a national cause. Ten minutes before a game begins, people in the streets run madly looking for a screen.

Friends meet, families lunch together and there is tension in the air. As soon as the 90 minutes begin, the streets are empty and all other clocks stop.

Beyond the ubiquitous passion that emerges whenever the national team plays in the World Cup, football is always present everywhere. The first gift any child born in Argentina receives is the jersey of his or her father’s favourite team. The second gift? A football. It’s that deeply rooted in our culture.

This is why Argentinean players are everywhere. You don’t need to look further than a UEFA Champions League semifinal to notice that half the athletes are South American. It is commonly stated that here lies “the cradle of the football world.”

Having swung between good and bad decisions, FIFA finally got it right when it decided to take the 2010 and 2014 World Cups to emerging countries. They understood the rules of the game that brings passion to every spot of the planet. As a result, even countries that, unfortunately, don’t have a strong national team, can profit from this passion as if it was theirs.

as Garrincha, Bebeto, Romario, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Rivaldo.

Argentina has only won two World Cups. As such, a minority of football fans support the team that lies behind Brazil. The flag bearer for the country is Diego Maradona who, in 1986, placed the country in the highest ranks of international football.

Additionally, a list of players now join him in the hall of fame: Distefano, Valdano, Riquelme, Verón, Tevez and Messi.

Of course, Messi has collected quite a crowd of fans during the last fewyears.

Dressed in light blue and white, streets in Bangladesh could well be in Buenos Aires. Flags rippling on the roofs and fans in jerseys would form a national extension, more than 10,000km away from South American. Although they have different cultures and histories, in football there is no distance. Passion unifies.

Bangladeshis’ support of Argentina makes perfect sense to us.

It’s gratifying since this passion meets certain a logic. Maradona’s famous goal in the Mexico 1986 game against England was not only celebrated by Argentinean people, but also Argentina’s fans around the globe. There was a unique moment of joy in defeating a superpower. It’s only natural that a Bangladeshi fan likes Argentina or Brazil, and not a world giant. It’s all deeply related.

Passion for the game is what gives Argentina and Brazil so many high-performing players and teams. From dawn to dusk, in this part of the world, football is the main preoccupation. When your team loses, you don’t go to the cinema or shopping or in fact leave your house, as you are in a bad mood.

This same passion is present when a Bangladeshi hangs an Argentinean or Brazilian flag in his house. This shows that a future for football exists in Bangladesh.

If football and passion are both present, it is only a matter of time before a team of young players bring smiles to the faces of Bangladeshi fans - proudly celebrating their own national team.

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Jennifer Ashraf Kashmi | Legalese

Food fight

Q A

A food cart owned by an influential businessman has set up just beside the entrance to my house, which is located in an alley in Banani. Because of the narrowness of the alley, the many people

and vehicles that crowd the vicinity are spoiling the atmosphere of our residential area and most of the time our own vehicles get blocked out by the congestion.

What legal action would result in the removal of the cart from our street?

Dear Reader, While I personally love the food carts, many of which I am a regular customer of, I can understand the complications they may cause by springing up like mushrooms all over Dhaka city.

Whilst the majority of us would enjoy frequenting a food cart after work or at other convenient times during the day, we wouldn’t all necessarily be happy about returning to our own neighbourhood and having to fight through a mob of excited (and hungry!) customers eagerly waiting for their food!

In fact, honestly speaking, I can see how dealing with this on a daily basis could be quite annoying!

You stated that the food cart is owned by an “influential businessman.” This could easily complicate things as “influential” could easily mean he has connections that could work in his favour if he attempts to obstruct the course of justice.

However, that aside, let us look at your objectives and the legal remedies available. Usually the initial step in initiating legal proceedings would be to send a legal notice to the offending party.

Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be helpful here. You would require the owner’s personal details (ie home address, etc).

However, even with this information, the subject matter of the legal notice becomes tricky.

Do you bring a case against him for nuisance? You could, but the chances of such a case sustaining or bringing positive results are slim.

Additionally, another drawback of sending the owner a legal notice is that it would put him on his guard and he may just take precautionary measures to safeguard his interests.

That is the last thing you want, especially if you’re aiming to ensure the removal of the cart, using the proper channels.

One possible approach is to take advantage of the complaints process. Make a written complaint to the Police and the concerned City Corporation office.

Last Friday, I addressed the issue of police powers in relation to arrest without a warrant. This could also very well apply here.

The Police Act 1861 contains provisions which allow the police to exercise their power to maintain order on public roads, prevent any offences related to obstruction, inconvenience, annoyance, risk, danger or damage, prevent riotous or drunk behaviour and indecent exposure, and so forth.

Anyone found in contravention of any of these laws may be arrested without a warrant by the police, and detained for further questioning.

The offences being committed here would involve obstruction, inconvenience, annoyance, etc. and this would give the police due cause for arresting without a warrant.

Unfortunately, the period of arrest may not be for long, and you may find business (at the food cart) commencing as usual in a couple of days!

Unfortunately, while it pains me to say it, this is one of those situations where “connections” will eventually triumph over justice.

Hopefully, there will soon come a time when the correct procedures are established and new ventures (like food cart businesses or motor rickshaws) are dealt with and regulated in the proper manner.

Until then, if you can’t beat them … join them! Be a regular customer and who knows – you may actually convince them to voluntarily switch locations. That would be a win-win situation, wouldn’t you say?

15

Got a problem?

Write to Jennifer at weekend@ dhakatribune.com

Cartoon: Rio Shuvo/Dhaka Tribune

Jennifer Ashraf Kashmi is a barrister and solicitor of England and Wales. She is currently Senior Partner at Legacy Legal Corporate.

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16 TOUGH LOVE | DINA SOBHAN

ex-appeal and seal the deal Q A

My ex-boyfriend from boarding school is visiting Dhaka for a research project.

He needs a place to stay for two weeks, and my house is the

No. Nyet. Nein. Non. To be clear: Ekdomi na.

Let me explain.

If you would like a quick and uncontested divorce, please invite your ex to come live in your home with your husband and don’t tell him about it.

Because your husband is in all probability a complete moron and won’t figure it out from hearing the nostalgia in your voices as you rehash stories from the good ol’ days; the little private jokes

Dina Sobhan is a freelance writer, and cautions readers not to take her ‘advice’ here too seriously!

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, J U N E 27, 201 4

obvious choice.

We’re still close, and I’m the only person he knows in Bangladesh. Should I tell my husband we used to date, or wait for him to (hopefully not) figure it out?

and the intimacy you share will surely not be obvious to the poor unassuming yokel as you giggle over your chapattis and bhaji together. Right?

Wrong! One of the few things marriage does teach us is to be hyperaware of the subtle nuances in our partner’s behaviour. He will sniff out the truth of your relationship like a bloodhound at a crime scene.

And then both you and your ex will be the victims of a gruesome murder. Even the most broadminded and non-possessive

of husbands would probably not welcome their wife’s former paramour to their home with open arms (unless their own arms were otherwise occupied, that is).

Your best bet is to inform your husband that your friend is coming to town and that you would like to have him over for dinner and show him around, then promptly book him into a nearby guesthouse for the duration of his stay. Thus you can spend time with him while the unassuming yokel is at the office.

Cartoon: Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy/Dhaka Tribune

Got a problem?

Write to Dina at weekend@ dhakatribune. com

Q

I’ve been dating this girl for about 8 years.

I personally don’t believe in marriage.

I don’t understand the benefits of over-complicating our current situation. However, she really wants to get married and I’ve been considering the possibility of giving in. Do you think that a good enough reason to get married to someone?

A

Do I think loving someone is a good enough reason to get married? Or do I think keeping a girl hanging on for EIGHT years without marrying her because you think the complications outweigh the benefits is a ridiculous proposition?

I would like to think that you have developed a fondness for this individual over the lengthy course of your relationship and that you would like to honour said relationship with a commitment.

It is not “giving in” as you so nobly put it, but demonstrating your devotion and loyalty to a woman who has stuck by you despite your obvious failings.

Only a man (and the occasional misguided woman) thinks that a relationship is the same as marriage.

I can assure you that it is not.

In many ways, marriage is akin to purgatory, but it also cements a partnership in ways that simple cohabitation does not. It provides security, stability and a level of comfort in a relationship, which is also a good foundation for building a family.

It also ensures that on a particularly drunken evening, one’s partner does not run off with the maid to Cox’s Bazaar to live out the rest of their lives in idleness and merriment.

If after careful consideration, you still think that offering the above (minus the bit about the maid) to your loving and faithful girlfriend is not your thing, let her get on with her search for someone who will marry her and make your own merry way to Cox’s.

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jinn | origin story

17

Creatures of smokeless fire

The world of jinn Shah Nahian

A

nyone who grows up in a Muslim family hears stories about jinn from a very young age. Many grow to love the character “Genie” from Aladdin, but are not acquainted with the theological root of these mysterious entities.

According to Islam; jinn, humans and angels make up the three sentient creations of God. Jinn came before man and have free will like humans, unlike angels.

Just like men, they can be good or evil. It has been said that jinn were created from smokeless fire, while mankind was made from clay.

An Arabic word, “jinn” simply means “hidden from sight.” Jinn are said to be invisible to the human eye. Yet humans are visible to jinn.

They have the power to possess human beings, and are able to shape-shift into the forms of other people, animals, trees and anything else they like.

Jinn can travel long distances at extreme speeds and are thought to live in their own communities in remote areas: In mountains, seas, trees and in the air.

According to the Hadith, there are three kinds of jinn: those who have wings and fly through the air, those

who resemble snakes and dogs, and those who travel about ceaselessly.

In the book “The World of the Jinn and Devils” Ibn Abdul Barr says scholars call the jinn that lives among mankind “aamar,” the ones that antagonise the young are called “arwaah,” the evil ones that antagonise humans are called “shaytan” and the strongest ones who cause the most harm are called “Ifrit.”

The organisation of the jinn community resembles that of humans: They have rulers and laws.

They eat, drink, get married, have children and die. Though their life spans are said to be far greater than those of men.

Capturing Jinn

It’s common to hear stories of people communicating with, or capturing, jinn. The stories we hear everyday are probably just stories. It is mentioned in the Quran that the Prophet Solomon was permitted to use jinn as workers.

However, in Islam, the Quran also speaks of black magic. The capturing of jinn is often said to be done by magic – which is absolutely forbidden. The price a man pays for such an act is his own soul.

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Interesting myths • Inscriptions found in northwestern Arabia seem to indicate the worship of jinn hundreds of years before Islam.

• Iblīs (Satan) was not an angel.

He was a jinn and abused his freedom by refusing to bow to Adam when Allah ordered the angels and jinn to do so.

• Hadith Al-Muwatta 54.33: “There are jinn in Madina who have become Muslims. When

you see one of them, call out to it for three days. If it appears after that, then kill it, for it is a shaytan.”

• Hadith Sahih Bukhari 4:533: “The Prophet said: ‘Cover your utensils and tie your water skins, and close your doors and keep your children close to you at night, as the jinn spread out at such time and snatch things away …’”

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18 Stay in

World Cup App T he Fifa World Cup is the biggest single sporting competition in the world. If you like watching football (or sports in general) this is not a tournament you’d want to miss.

This year’s World Cup has been filled with drama, showers of goals and underdog teams overcoming much stronger opponents. Needless to say, this is international football at its best.

Yet keeping posted with match schedules adjusted to our time zone, accessing the records of past matches, and monitoring all the other pertinent details, can easily become a chore.

But fret not. In the age of

Mini cryptics

Shah Nahian

smart phones, all of these trivial annoyances can be avoided with a simple tap of the finger.

If your device is running android version 2.2 or later you’re in luck!

The app, World Cup 2014 by SeeDecor, is free to download with Google Play.

Though it’s not available for apple products, similar applications can be found on the Apple app store.

The app has a smooth interface that’s easy on the eyes and, most importantly, extremely simple and easy to use. The app features a number of important features that include: • Automatic match result updates

from goalapi.com • The ability to view different types of match schedule including: matches scheduled for the day, matches on upcoming days, matches by country and results from previous days.

• Schedules are adjusted to your device’s time zone automatically.

• You can view team rankings, group match schedules and stats on each team.

• A World Cup 2014 tree diagram shows the progression from the first round to the final.

• Alarms may be set to remind you about matches • Top goal scorer list.

Clues ACROSS 1 Release of French organ (7) 4 Paddle in circle making lots of noise (7) 6 Risk small note first in the middle (7) 7 Fast, like an old reporter? (7) DOWN 1 Change bad rule for long-term (7) 2 Hurdled broken plate (5) 3 Rulers, for example in charters (7) 5 Woman caught in fire nearly (5)

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Ramadan TV: 30 days of ‘Omar’

“O

mar” is an engrossing, beautifully made TV series depicting early Islamic history, centring on Omar Faroukh, the second caliph.

Touted as the biggest dramatic production ever in the history of Arabic television, the 30 episodes were first aired throughout of Ramadan on Qatar TV in 2012.

You can replicate the mosalsalat experience (as they call month-long Ramadan drama serials in the Middle East) by watching one episode per day during the holy month. It is in Arabic with English subtitles.

The script, by Palestinian writer and poet Waleed Seif, strives for historical accuracy, and was reviewed by dozens of Islamic scholars and historians.

The story begins before Omar’s conversion, when the Quraysh clan of Mecca first started to

Rumana Habib

comprehend the growing influence of Muhammad’s new religion.

If you know your history and/or you’ve watched The Message, you will recognise the key players here, like Abu Bakar and crazy Hind.

Of course, we never see Muhammad, but get updates on his whereabouts indirectly. Omar is played by charismatic Syrian actor Samer Ismail. More than 550 actors from almost every Arab country collaborated to make this highbudget show with lavish costume and set design.

It is an intriguing way to experience a connection with Islam, and the flesh-and-blood men and women who founded it.

You know that hour of coma after you’ve broken your fast and cannot move a muscle? That’s a perfect time to pop on this family-friendly programme. Available at Laser Lane and other popular DVD stores.

Last week’s Mini Cryptics solutions: Across: 1) Saffron; 4) Aerobic; 6) Lasagne; 7) Wetness Down: 1) Shallow; 2) Fires; 3) Nucleus; 5) Bugle

Sudoku

Use the numbers 1-9 to complete each of the 3x3 square grids such that each horizontal and vertical line also contains all of the digits from 1-9

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Last week’s sudoku solutions

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, J U N E 27, 201 4

Go out

19

Racing with bikes

Weekly Planner June 27

When June 27, 8:30am Where Batash Chacha, Sector

15 Uttara What

Dhaka Northern Cyclists (DNC) is arranging the DNC Race 2014 “powered by Epic Air.” This race is the very first of its kind arranged in Dhaka. The cycling community will have the chance to prove their stamina and passion for biking on or off the road.

The race is taking place in two categories: Mountain Bike (MTB) and Road Bike (RB).

The winner of the race in each category will receive attractice prizes: the winner will receive Tk15,000, the runner up will get Tk10,000, and the secon runner up will receive Tk5,000.

Reporting time for the MTB participants is 7:30am and the race begins at 8:30am. Bikers will cover a cross-country track of 25km. RB participants

should report by 9:30am, and their race will start at 10:30am.

This will be a paved road track of 39km.

Regular registration fee is Tk300 and late registration fee is Tk350.

Registration forms (filled in) should be submitted with the required fee and a passport size photo of the participants.

Registration: Cyclelife Exclusive Tejgaon, or Bikeworkz – Sector 7 Uttara, +880 1713112231, or Cyclelife Exclusive Dhanmondi, +880 1833148301, +880 1717326738 Things to carry: water bottles or hydration pack, helmets (mandatory), gloves and cycling jersey. Participants will be provided water, saline, dates and mango bar, medical assistance and support vehicle in case of emergency.

Social Business Youth Summit 2014

Music | Get Amped Plugged Session 6 When 2:30pm-8:30pm Where Echo Sparks, 55

Shah Makdum, Uttara Sector 12 What The plugged session is back to promote upcoming talents, along with already established names. Metal Maze, Scarecrow, Karnival, Owned, Trainwreck, Story Tellers, Conclusion, Absentia, Active, Martian Love, Distorted, Rewind, Kaleidoscope, Corrupt Theory, Alerion will be playing in the show. Tickets are available at Tk200.

At least 250 youths from both home and abroad will come together to share their understanding of social business. The summit aims to produce a platform of knowledge sharing about social business among youth participants.

Noble laureate Dr Yunus will convey his thoughts on the ideology of social business focusing on youths. The main aim of SBYN is to help

youngsters connect with those who are in the social business scene.

Participants here will learn about the dynamics and impacts of social business, as well as the necessity of social business in the current world. It will also explore how the youth can emerge with social business ventures in real life and bring changes both in the outside world and in their own lives.

Registration: is between 9:30am-10am, before the summit starts.

June 29 Education | Graduate university search Process When 3pm-4pm Where The American

June 27-28

Center, 1 Progati Sharani, Block J, Baridhara What Group advising session on searching universities and programmes in the US universities.

The programme is open for all. No preregistration is required.

Fair | Zakat Fair 2014

June 30

When 9am-8pm Where National Shooting

Complex, Gulshan What This fair is all about the distribution of zakat. The organisers have a sound understanding of zakat rules, and they say their objective is to comply with the “true essence” of zakat distribution, beyond the tradition of distributing saris and lungis among the poor.

Contest | take Photo for TV

June 27- July 19

10am Jamuna Television Station, Bashundhara R/A What The morning show of Jamuna TV, Shokaler Bangladesh, has arranged a photography contest for the audience. Pictures of sunrises or anything related to the morning can be submitted for the contest.

Art | Urban Experience

July 1-10

When 12pm Where Bengal

8pm Art Lounge, 60 Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan What A group exhibition of monoprints by young artists.

When 2pm-6pm Where AMIC, House

Education | Studying session on studying in Germany When 10am Where Berlin

Hall, GoetheInstitut, Dhanmondi What The information session “Study, Research and

When Where

Cinematography | Poetry of Motion

June 28 When July 2, 10am Where Golf Garden, Kurmitola What

Opportunity in Germany” is organised by DAAD Bangladesh.

It is open to all and participation is free of charge. No preregistration is required.

519, Road 1, Dhanmondi What Asian Institute of Media and CommunicationsBangladesh is arranging this workshop on digital cinematography. The workshop will provide participants with a 10-day hands-on experience of practical movie shooting. The registration deadline is June 28 and required fee is Tk10,000.

Send your events to weekend@dhakatribune.com

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WE E K E N D TR I B U N E | F R I DAY, J U N E 2 7, 2 0 1 4

20 STANDPOINT | Nosy uncles & aunties

Privacy is a foreign concept Rifat Islam Esha

W

e Bangladeshis love to talk. We love to talk to our friends, relatives and random strangers alike. We believe everyone has problems, and we need to take it upon ourselves to solve them and save humanity.

There is no word for “privacy” in Bangla.

Okay, maybe I am being harsh.

I apologise. After all, what does someone like me – an old spinster bechari in her late twenties – know about anything?

But keeping with the tradition of gossip, I would like to explain a few scenarios that I or my friends have recently experienced.

I have nothing against aunties and uncles, but have you ever noticed that the concept of personal space – both physical and mental – does not seem to exist in their world?

Married without children

A friend of mine (let’s call her Sharmila), who has unfortunately lived more than thirty years and has also been married for three years, is always the shundori – hence a subject of great concern to aunties.

Recently as she walked into a wedding, a group of aunties ambushed her, very concerned about her private life.

Luckily for Sharmila, she was meeting a few of them for the first time. As they say, strangers are the best people to talk to about the private matters of your house.

She was grilled with: Who are you related to? Are you married, for how long? Why don’t you have kids? Are you having complications? Have you seen a doctor? This was followed by elaborate solutions with little anecdotes of all the people they know who never had children.

It is essential to procreate as soon as you say kobul.

Alhamdulillah.

WEEKEN D TR I BU N E | F R I DAY, J U N E 27, 201 4

Cartoon: Rio Shuvo/Dhaka Tribune

Riding on buses with uncles These days I take the bus. I like it.

I just adore the limited breathing space I manage to get. I am not blaming the passengers though. It’s really hard to get enough room for yourself in rush hours (read: all hours).

However, diplomacy aside, these buses are the breeding ground for some predatory uncles, who, even if you make room for them to stand or sit, would love to be close to you,

Women of the night

A journalist friend of mine (let’s call her Farha), is also a bechari girl who is almost thirty. She has a job where she has to stay late, which also means turning up late to every dinner and becoming the centre of attention.

Farha recently attended a family get together, with many members of her extended family. The moment she walked in, someone said: “There she is.

Madam ke to dekhai jai na [We

smile and stare at you – as it is they can see your soul sweating and trapped inside the hell hole – till you have a perpetually disgusted-angry, Dipjol-like expression on your face. (If you don’t know who Dipjol is, imagine Arnold Schwarzenegger).

Worse yet, when they ask you for the time and want to strike a conversation, their legs slightly tilt towards you as you move further away.

hardly see Madam anymore].”

Someone else said: “Don’t you know girls from good families are always home on time?”

Then the next questions came from an aunty, very closely related (the sister-inlaw of another of her aunt’s sister-in-law): “How much do they pay you? Is it actually an office with rooms or do you sit at one table? Will you ever get married?”

My eyes are up here A friend of mine (let’s call her Ashna), jogs every morning with her mother. One fine morning, as she was taking a break from her mini-marathon, a woman came up to her from nowhere with a barrage of questions: “Are you married? Do you have children? Is your husband treating you well?”

Ashna was still not shocked until the woman came close to her and rearranged the orna on her chest, saying: “Buk dheke cholba [Cover your breasts].”

Apparently Ashna, who always dressed modestly in shelwar kameezes, looked naked to this stranger’s eyes.

She was successfully made to feel bad about herself for a while. Instead of being too angry at the woman, Ashna returned her orna to it’s “prefixed” position.