America and Islam: Dialogue needed

Professor Abdun Noor

The continued clash between the Israelis and the Palestinians has become a great obstacle to the dream of peace in the Middle East. It is a fact that much of the present crisis in the Middle East originated from the establishment of the Zionist State of Israel in 1948. The unequivocal support given to it by the West, led by the United States and its ongoing 'war on terror' after the cataclysmic event of September 11, 2002, have given rise to the Muslims throughout the world a feeling that USA is hostile towards Muslims and Islam.
   The negative portrayal of Islam in the Western media as a fanatic religion and branding the beard faced turban wearing Muslim activists as terrorists, have further accentuated the crisis. This has given rise to some disgruntled Muslim youths to launch terrorist attack on many establishments across the globe. Consequently, it has become a widely discussed topic now-a-days, that the "Clash of Civilisation" theory of Samuel P. Huntington has become a reality. Time has, therefore, come for a shift in the discussion about Islam and the West from confrontation to dialogue and from recrimination to understanding.
   
   Muslim scholars
   It is heartening of course, that in such a volatile situation, some Muslim scholars have come forward to focus Islam as a religion which emphasises moderation, tolerance and peace, and misguided Muslim youths have been asked to abandon their aggressive path which is forbidden in its teachings. The Quran states: "If anyone slays a human being...it shall be as though he had slain all mankind; whereas if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all mankind."(5:32).
   A 56-member Ambassadorial Washington Group (AWG) has recently been formed with the intent to interact with members of the US Administration and other relevant institutions on issues pertaining to Islam and the welfare of Muslims. Western intellectuals, on the other, have attempted to identify some common principles and values in both Christianity and Islam which are desperately needed to salvage Western societies from moral degradation. The common problems that afflict the North American society as illustrated by a Canadian scholar are: "Growing drug addiction, teenage pregnancy, spread of incurable sexually transmitted diseases, alcoholism, depression, problem of the aged and the poor, divorce and urban crimes, depletion of natural resources and ecological concern etc." These are the symptoms of social disintegration in the West which even Huntington considered as a sign of 'civilisation in decline'.
   
   Erosion of family values
   Erosion of family values and social disintegration are such complex issues which cannot be properly treated by secularists or philosophers. It can neither be dealt with by programs in Harvard or other advanced universities. These issues need to be solved by religious teachings of love and respect and mutual responsibility that show the proper relationship between male and female, parents and children. Muslim societies are more or less free from those social malaises mentioned above. Because on all these issues, Islam takes a vocal and enlightened position and if it is properly harnessed and understood, it can provide fresh impetus in combating the universal problems.
   "In almost every public policy which presents problem in America and world society", writes the American social scientist Ralph Braibanti, "Islam has had answer... To name a few: protection of the environment; primacy of the family in the social order; solidarity of the community; individual responsibility; concern for the victims of crime; self-restraint; modesty of dress and manner; abstention from addictive drugs, alcohol, tobacco and gambling; equality of all races; a strict judicial process tempered by compassion; and submission to divine will".
   "United political action on these social issues", he further asserts, "united with Christian believers-should now be the great challenge of Islam". Cardinal Arinze also calls for "joint promotion of moral values, development, justice and peace". He asserts that an interreligious effort to face the problems of all societies is obligatory.
   Another noticeable trend in America is that Islam has become a widely discussed topic in the civil society and has entered the course curricula in many academic institutions. In recent years, Islam has become a fast growing religion in America and Muslim population comprise more than six million growing rapidly through migration, conversion and high birth rate. Muslim involvement in American life has also been increased. M. J. Khan, an American Muslim has been elected to the City Council of Huston which is the fourth largest city in the United States. Keith Ellison, an American Muslim from Minnesota, has been elected to the Congress which is a significant step towards political empowerment of the Muslim community. Muslims' lobbying to educate and influence members of the Congress has also been increased significantly. Both the Democratic and Republican parties are recruiting voters among Muslims.
   
   "Important part of US"
   The U.S. Under Secretary of State Karen Hughes acknowledged that "as a major world religion,(Islam) is part of the West and an important part of America". An invigorated Islamic presence in the United States is manifest in the inclusion of Imams as Chaplains in the armed services and the celebration of the Muslim festival of Eid in the White House. In a meeting with some Muslim groups, Karen Hughes called them to join the U.S.efforts to combat misrepresentation fostered by extremists that there is a 'clash of civilization' , and that the West is somehow in conflict with Islam. She also cited US State Departments' efforts to promote mutual exchange programs which she called, "civilisation dialogue".
   Joint action on social values
   In a speech, Congressman Ellison said that he has been elected to the U.S. Congress for his values which were derived from Islam. It means that the American society is ready to welcome certain values which Islam can deliver. The concept of adle or"justice" is such a value.. It reminds one of the New Public Administration movement in America during the early seventies of the last century which asked for establishing social justice in the governance process.
   "Justice is the end of government", wrote the American Founding Fathers while framing the constitution of independent America more than two hundred years ago. At the present time, the whole Western world including America value democracy as the central feature of their society and politics. Islam on the other, places high emphasis on the concept of justice which is important because it is a divine attribute enshrined in the Qur'an.
   The Islamic concept of justice goes beyond the Western conception in the sense that the Western theories consider justice as giving everybody his due according to his capacity and contribution. Congressman Ellison while underlining Islamic values, mentioned charity, in giving to others in need and facing adversity, equality and justice what the Americans are into. The people who voted Ellison to office are overwhelmingly white and Christians, descendents of Norwegians and Swedish and German immigrants. They voted Ellison because they believe that Ellison can promote these things.
   
   Tyranny of injustice
   In the West, a society without democracy is seen as a tyranny. In Islam, a society without justice (and welfare) amounts to tyranny. True Islamic values are not only compatible with democracy, they drive us towards a society in which there is consultation(Shura)where there are inputs and approval from the populace. Unfortunately, most of the states in the contemporary Muslim world are lacking in democratic process which is mainly responsible for breeding resentments and their sporadic outburst through terrorist activities. In this respect, America may improve its diplomatic efforts to promote democracy in the Muslim world as a preemptive strategy to avoid future terrorist activity. Therefore, it can be said that the only political order that can be legitimate, viable and resilient in the 21st century, will be a democracy strongly based on adle(justice). America and Islam should, therefore, join together in creating a new world order based on democracy and social justice.
   The author is a Professor of Public Administration, Universityof Chittagong. Email:abdunnoor50@yahoo.com. slamicadmin.com).

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Dhiraj Kumar Nath

Financial discipline must be maintained at any cost at all levels to ensure economic progress and achieve social and economic targets of a country. This is important for reducing poverty and also eliminating corrupt practices that jeopardise the very fabric of society. This has become a major burning issue drawing the attention of civil society and citizens at large for the nation to become a middle income country within next 20 years.
   
   Discipline in trade circle
   The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a few days back, decided that public limited companies (PLC) with paid up capital of Tk. 500 crore or more and in commercial operation for three years must go for initial public offerings [IPO] within a year. The SEC also decided that a Private Limited Company whose paid up capital reached or exceeded Tk. 40 crore or more must transform into a PLC within one year. All mobile companies, electric and gas distribution and transmission companies, three nationalised scheduled banks and hundreds of companies in the private sector will be covered under this directive. This will obviously compel many profitable companies to float their shares in the market and help reduction of accumulation of shares and debentures in the grab of a few. Such an important order should have been issued much earlier. The SEC however, deserves appreciation for doing the same.
   
   Company culture unknown
   The corporate culture is totally unknown to many entrepreneurs and they do not like to respect the same in their transactions and business dealings.
   There are companies in the country dealing in millions of dollars but are confined within the family as Chairman and Directors with tacit consent and silent support of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies. For a Public Limited Company, there is provision of annual general meeting and declaration of dividend in a transparent manner, which some entrepreneurs do not consider convenient to their norms. A few days back, instructions have been issued asking the readymade garment manufacturers to honour the rules of compliance and address with respect to welfare issues of employees.
   
   Women-friendly environment
   The Chief Adviser while speaking as chief guest in the SME Foundation, a few days back asked all banks and financial institutions to create women-friendly atmosphere in their dealings within their premises. He urged them to facilitate and encourage women entrepreneurs to invest in the small and medium-scale industries and thus help contribute remarkably in the national economy. He also expressed words of cautions against adopting any discriminatory steps for women entrepreneurs in the disbursement of loan and advances.
   
   Unfair interest rate and profit
   A critical problem identified was the discrimination in the rate of interest between the term deposit and the disbursement of loan. A person hardly can get 10 per cent interest or return for his deposit or investment in a bank or financial institution. On the other hand, he is to pay minimum 16/17 per cent of interest for loan granted in his favour apart from the security deposits and stringent conditions imposed on him for repayment. There are also provisions of service charge and penalty clause in case of default in payment of installments. In consideration of the above, stakeholders and social scientists are in view that the difference should in no way exceed two percent to encourage the growth of healthy economy in the country. Presently, enough capital is lying idle in some banks finding no appropriate and rewarding areas of investment. Bangladesh Bank should examine this issue in depth to create a better investment climate in the country.
   
   Micro-credit organisations' higher interest rate
   Most of the financial institutions and micro credit organisations are involved in the process of financial jugglery, calculation and earning profits at the cost of depositors and small entrepreneurs. Even port and housing authorities, electric and gas companies, corporations with their autonomous identities and empowerment are framing financial rules to their advantage and encouraging their employees to adopt dubious and corrupt means of deceiving the customers in general. To prevent the micro-credit organizations from charging around 25-30 percent of interest on loan from clients, Micro-Credit Regulatory Commission was constituted in the year 2004, now operating under the supervision of Bangladesh Bank.
   
   Crime of calculation
   While defining corruption, an economist observed, " Corruption is a crime of calculation". This is true, when we find Anti Corruption Commission, asking an accused to submit a statement of accounts of property he owns with values and sources of financing. The accused might be on large provided his calculation is prudent and found acceptable, failing which he is liable to be charge-sheeted as an offender and corrupt person.
   Absence of financial discipline and weaknesses of financial rules are responsible for degeneration in the society and spread of corruption at large. Commercial enterprises and individuals take the advantages of such weaknesses of financial management of the government and earn benefits as much as possible. The ambiguity of circulars or instructions help the tax-evaders to get the opportunity while appraising the valuation of import and adopt ominous means of under- invoicing or over-invoicing and sometimes, practicing money laundering.
   The financial circulars/directives/ orders that generate confusion are also responsible in delaying the process of procurement and sometimes, creating stalemate in the speedy disposal of businesses. In most of the cases, distortion of facts takes place due to the misinterpretation of directives. On some occasions, certain audit objections travel up to the public accounts committee and remain unsolved for years together. The debate and interpretation between Comptroller of Auditor General offices and executing ministry create sensations of defalcations of millions of money reflecting a gloomy picture of financial discipline in the country. In the process, many officials are deprived of their full pension and retirement benefits. This is one of the reasons that bureaucracy is frequently blamed as not pro-active or dynamic.
   
   Implementation ADP
   The implementation of the ADP is slowed down in relation to its target due to the delay in the release of fund and procedure prescribed for the execution of projects apart from the initiative of Project Directors and their training and knowledge to expedite the execution in time.
   
   Areas of Reformation
   Bangladesh Bank, Comptroller and Auditor General, NBR, might suggest the Ministry of Finance, the possible areas of reformations to ensure financial discipline in rank and file. The Federation of Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh Association of Bankers and trading community as a whole might raise these issues in the Better Business Forum. The unprecedented rise of inflation to the extent of 12 percent and price hike of daily essential items appear to be alarming demanding immediate attention of the government. There might be a study in depth and survey at random to identify the reasons, if any related with financial reformation that could provide any relief to overcome the situation. Reformation in the financial discipline is felt to be urgent to make it consistent with the global changes to facilitate the achievement of millenium development goals and help Bangladesh to emerge as middle income country by 2020 and make poverty history in near future.
   The writer is a former Secretary
   to the Government.

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