Comitted to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 4 Num 6 Tue. June 03, 2003  
   
Political


AL sends letter to govt to drop SQ Chy from OIC job race


The main opposition Awami League (AL) yesterday urged the prime minister to remove Salauddin Quader Chowdhury from the run for the secretary general of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC).

The AL concern came in a letter after the alliance government nominated the parliamentary affairs adviser to the prime minister for the OIC top job, as he is accused of anti-Bangladesh activities and misdeeds.

The letter signed by AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil told the prime minister that a person beyond controversy would get support from all.

Meanwhile, Abdul Jalil told reporters that the AL would inform all ambassadors from the OIC member states in Dhaka about the 'controversial personality' (Chowdhury).

"We will visit OIC member states, if needs be, and inform them about his dark past." The nomination of Salauddin is insulting to the nation as a whole, said the letter.

"You (prime minister) are aware that Salauddin Quader Chowdhury was suspended from the BNP several times for his indecent behaviour. The Awami League thinks such a man is unfit for the OIC secretary general's office," said the letter.

Bangladesh's prospect of winning the post is bright, as the AL had got assurance from the OIC member countries during its rule, said the letter.

The AL government had nominated Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury, the late career diplomat and speaker, to run for the post.

However, his nomination was withdrawn upon assurance from the OIC allies that they would support Bangladesh's candidate in the next polls, said the letter.

Meanwhile, the Muktijoddha Sanghati Parishad yesterday came down heavily on Chowdhury for his reported comments on Bangladesh's women and its culture.

Terming the remarks arrogant and vulgar, the Parishad said these proved that not only Chowdhury has no regard for women's rights.

Chowdhury reportedly said Bangladeshi culture has now been reduced to unmarried women walking the streets barefooted at the midnight singing "Aa Mori Bangla Bhasha."

He was also reported to have said Bangladeshi women wear saree exposing navel, while speaking at the closing ceremony of a book fair organised by Jamaat-e-Islami, a component of the BNP-led coalition government.