Defamation of media!

I was speechless to read the news item of SQ Chowdhury filing a defamation case against The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, Prothom Alo Editor Motiur Rahman and AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil.

"How dare he!" is the specific reaction comes in mind but since I am a decent, law abiding citizen all I can express is my outrage.

When a person who has allegations of war crimes against him sues two most popular editors of the country, who are trying their best to let people know the truth, it becomes clear that once in power you can do anything and everything!

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Now that SQ Chowdhury filed a case against Mahfuz Anam and Motiur Rahman, I want to see what OIC has to say about it and whether they investigate the allegation against SQ Chowhdhury, for this is the only way to know whether the allegations against him are true or not!

Simi Shama, Baridhara, Dhaka

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By lodging defamation case against Mahfuz Anam and Motiur Rahman, it is has once again been proven that once you become a part of the ruling party it doesn't matter whether you have allegations of war crimes against you or of being a petty maastan, you remain above law, can break the law at any time and also can take shelter of law to take revenge on whoever points finger at you.

Shahin Khan, Jigatola, Dhaka

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There is little doubt that the government has made a faux pas on the choice of our candidate for the OIC Secretary General. Mr. Chowdhury is a controversial politician and the worse is, he loves instigating people and living in controversy. He has no experience in international politics or diplomacy; qualities that are indispensable for the post he wishes to assume. In fact, he has no qualification at all that would make him a choice for the post. Rather he has innumerable ones that have been highlighted in these columns that should make him nobody's choice. This makes me curious about why the Foreign Minister had to make such a huff to the press in favour of the candidature.

A final point on this issue. The demand of the Awami League that this candidature should be withdrawn for the candidate's alleged activities in 1971 is as stupid a call as the decision to nominate him in the first instance.

Shahjahan Ahmed, Dhanmandi, Dhaka

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I am writing this letter in support of Jabed Sufian (June 9). The nomination of S Q Chowdhury by the present BNP government as the OIC Secretary General is plainly outrageous!

The allegation of anti-liberation activities against SQ Chowdhury and his father is very well known to the people in Chittagong. OIC deserves a better person. I strongly condemn this nomination and urge my fellow countrymen to join me in this protest.

Nachiketa Chowdhury, Hingham, MA

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I fail to understand why so many of your readers are surprised and commenting negatively about the nomination of SQ Chowdhury by BNP to the OIC! Why is this uproar? Mr. Chowdhury's alleged role during the Liberation War or his philosophy now are very much within the accepted agenda of the BNP.

Lest we forget, it was Ziaur Rahman, after all, who made Shah Aziz, the wellknown collaborator, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. I will never forget the fact that Shah Aziz spoke at the UN on behalf of Pakistan against the Liberation war, terming it nothing more than an attempt by Indian agents to divide Pakistan!

Khaleda Zia is just continuing her husband's tradition!

Mohamed Alamgir, Colorado Springs, USA

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I am very much shocked and baffled by the news of S.Q. Chowdhury being nominated as the Secretary General of OIC. Even though in my personal opinion, OIC is nothing more than a useless organisation, I think the climax will be if he is actually selected as such.

I am waiting to see whether OIC have the decency or moral obligation to investigate the background of this individual with checkered past and history of unprofessional behaviour. If they don't- it will reiterate my belief that the modern day Arab world do not care an iota of Islam and its ethics. Did participating in OIC helped create more jobs for Bangladeshi Muslims? Did the rich Arab countries favour Bangladeshis than other nations? Did they build more power plants, hospitals, educational institutions or bridges in Bangladesh?

The answer will be mostly, no! Then what benefit are we getting from this organisation, which did not grant us membership till 1975?

M. Hassan, Plano, TX, USA

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I refer to the letter from Ms. Rubaya Naheed from U.S.A. (June 06) on Mr. Salauddin Quader Chowdhury's nomination for the Secretary General of O.I.C. and she has distinctively responded to her own queries.

The OIC - the coterie of the Islamic States was patterned not to attend to the interest of the so-called "Muslim Ummah" but was designed at the motivation of USA particularly to "take care" of the American political and financial interest around the globe. In return America is to "take care" of the "Muslim" empires and the safety and provide the kings and dictators of these kingdoms protection.

The people all around the world opposed the latest American aggression on Iraq only because the people considered that the Americans and not the Iraqis were at fault. The USA war command during this latest American invasion of Iraq supposedly to be another "Muslim" country was in Qatar the present Chairperson of the OIC

For economic rationale, naturally the member countries of this club maintain a better equation with "secular" India than that with "Islamic" Pakistan. But Yes, during our liberation war all the members of this union supported Pakistan not because Pakistan is a "Muslim" country but because they did not have the essentiality to go against American policy to support Pakistan.

Nazmul Karim, Dhaka