Sulja Bros. Building Supplies, Ltd (SLJB)

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The celebration of Eid
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Sun, 22 Oct 2006, 10:36:00

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THE happy occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr at the end of the holy month of Ramzan is at our doorstep again. Depending on the sighting of the moon, Eid will be celebrated on Tuesday or Wednesday. The whole country is now gripped by the joyful expectations of the occasion. The Eid has come after a month of fasting during day hours. Muslim devotees have utilised the month to practice self-restraint and surrender to the Creator Almighty Allah and seek His blessings and mercy. The month is considered most holy because the holy Quran was sent to the earth during this month through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Dhaka, a city of about twelve million people, will see its population almost halved by Eid day. Many have left for their village homes and others are taking preparations. It is a tradition in this country that its people, wherever they may be, would go to their points of origin in the rural and semi-rural areas to celebrate the Eid. Therefore, Eid time also means accelerated mobility of people because at this time of the year people in very great number move from one location to another along with their family members. They also carry cash, gifts, foodstuffs and other goods for use on the Eid day and beyond. Besides, the Eid occasion generates the highest business activity because buyers and sellers interact the most on this occasion.

But the joys of movement of homeward people for Eid, and Eid shopping can be ruined by acts of crime. Apprehensions of gangsters robbing home-bound passengers are there. Therefore, better policing and vigilance by units of RAB would be especially welcome under a well conceived and executed plan at different sections of the national highways. The security arrangements at the big markets in Dhaka are reasonably good. But even in these markets security preparations perhaps need to be made stronger because buying and selling are found to be specially heavy in the last few days before Eid. Last minute all-out efforts at law enforcement would be required because the heaviest rush of all categories of people in the markets and their buying spree usually occur during the last two days before Eid day when the muggers and snatchers also become particularly active.

Most home-bound passengers have already left Dhaka in buses, launches and trains. But even at this late hour, everything should be done to reduce the pangs of virtual extortion activities with tickets. And plans need to be made well before the coming of the Eid-ul-Azha to prevent recurrence of ticket black marketing by all means. Consumers have been exploited by way of profiteering during their current Eid shopping. Prices of consumer goods have soared during the last one month. Therefore, the government would be expected to score much better results in keeping prices of essential goods normal and to control black marketing and other irregularities with a very firm hand during the Eid-ul-Azha which will come two and a half months later.