BANGLADESH: Editors urge Ulema to consider Prothom Alo's apology

Bangladeshi newspaper editors hope the country's Islamic community will accept Prothom Alo's apology and not resort to violence

The Daily Star
Friday, September 21, 2007

Editors of different newspapers yesterday jointly urged the country's Alem community to consider Prothom Alo's apology and the actions the government and the daily have taken following publication of an unacceptable cartoon in the daily's satire magazine Aalpin.

In a joint statement they also urged everyone to exercise restraint and show sense of responsibility.

The country's Muslims have been venting their grievances since the publication of the cartoon that hurt their religious sentiment.

Golam Sarwar, editor of the daily Jugantor, read out the statement to journalists at the secretariat after a meeting with Information Adviser Mainul Hosein.

The statement said, "The publication of the cartoon feature was an unfortunate event. Naturally it hurt the pious Muslim community."

It said the Prothom Alo authorities have already apologised for the inadvertent publication of the cartoon feature and withdrawn it immediately. They also dismissed an Aalpin sub-editor and announced that they will no longer publish any write-up or cartoon of the contributor cartoonist concerned.

The government has also taken action regarding the incident. Law enforcers have arrested cartoonist Arifur Rahman and seized all copies of the Aalpin's 431st issue containing the cartoon.

"We believe the Prothom Alo is respectful towards Islam and religious sentiment," the statement said.

"We believe following Prothom Alo's admission of the mistake and seeking apology and the government steps, all sections concerned including the religious minded Muslims will be pacified," the statement added. "We urge all concerned to be patient and tolerant."

The signatory editors said they hope that the Prothom Alo will be extremely cautious so that similar incident never occurs.

Apart from Golam Sarwar, Independent Editor Mahbubul Alam, Sangbad Editor Bazlur Rahman, Ittefaq Editor Rahat Khan, Ataus Samad of Amar Desh, News Today Editor Reazuddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Samakal Editor Abed Khan, New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, Amar Desh Editor Amanullah Kabir, Amader Shomoy Editor Naimul Islam Khan, Manabjamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, and Naya Diganta Mohammad Alamgir Mohiuddin signed the statement.

Prothom Alo has shown responsibility by seeking apology, says Khelafat Andolan

Welcoming Prothom Alo's apology for carrying the controversial cartoon titled Naam in its satire magazine Aalpin, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan yesterday asked the government and the people not to do anything that might jeopardise the livelihoods of hundreds of employees of the newspaper.

The Prothom Alo authorities have shown responsibility and nobility by seeking apology, withdrawing the "uncalled-for" cartoon and assuring punishment to the persons involved without any delay, a Khelafat statement said yesterday.

"We also welcome the government's decision to arrest the persons involved," reads the statement signed by Kazi Azizul Haq, international affairs secretary, and Hamidullah Ibne Hafezzi Hujur, Nayeb-e-Amir-e-Amel of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan.

All types of media should be controlled for the sake of the country, nation, humanity, decency and honesty. However, before intervening in any media, its impact on the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of employees need to be considered seriously, added the statement.

"The survival and dignity of many employees of daily Amar Desh have been at risk as the owners of the newspaper were sent to jail and their bank accounts frozen," the statement said.

"In the meantime, the lives and livelihoods of the employees of CSB have been threatened due to its closure. Besides, many journalists and employees of Ajker Kagoj have also become jobless due to its shutdown yesterday," the statement added.

"About five hundred more journalists and employees will become jobless instantaneously if Prothom Alo is shut down. The government and the pious people will have to think responsibly about the livelihoods and security of so many people," said Khelafat Andolan in its statement.

Protest by Khelafat Majlis

UNB adds: Khelafat Majlis yesterday demanded ban on the publication of the Prothom Alo for publishing the cartoon.

"The declaration of the Prothom Alo has to be cancelled and its editor and publisher are to be given exemplary punishment in order to preserve the image of the country and maintain peace," said Shaikhul Hadith Azizul Huq, ameer of Khelafat Majlis, at a press conference at his Purana Paltan office yesterday.

Date Posted: 9/21/2007