 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Goggles-clad Muslimahs with heavy makeup gracing the Ijtema ground! Published on December 12, 2005
As I was browsing the newspaper today (January 29, 2006) I saw photos of Bishwa Ijtema (World Congregation). I could not help but seeing one photo of some bevy of Muslimahs sitting next to Begum Zia participating in Akheri Munajaat or Final Supplication. These Muslimahs have gone to Ijtema ground to earn enough swaab (religious brownie point) so that they could be placed in Zannat or Islamic heaven or swarga. These Muslimahs went to the religious function bedecked with colorful saris. And that was not all! They even wore gold jewelries, put mascara and eye shadow, and lipstick. Am I making this up? Please view the above photo and draw your conclusion. Bangladesh has become an Islamic nation where the Prime Minister and the chief opposition leader go to attend the final supplication. The newspapers reported that more than 2 million devotees have gone to attend Ijtema this year. They all wrote that Ijtema is the second largest Muslim congregation only next to Hajj. This year about 2 million Muslims went to Mecca to perform Hajj. Therefore, Bishwa Ijtema has surpassed the Hajj ceremony. Bangladesh�s newspapers will never admit to it. They still write that Ijtema is the second largest Islamic gathering. One interesting observation is that in Hajj no women would put tons of makeup but to attend Ijtema, it is a different story. Look at the above photo one more time and you will know right away why I said so.
Jaffor Ullah Ithaca, New York Dr. A.H. Jaffor Ullah, a researcher and columnist, writes from Ithaca, New York.
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
||
|
|
||||
|
|
 |
 |
 |