From: smahmad@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (Shaad M. Ahmad)
Subject: Re: SHAKIL AHMED AZAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Originator: news@ernie.Princeton.EDU
Organization: The Institution for the Casually Insane
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 04:40:20 GMT

     Asif Ibrahim (ij21@vaxb.acs.unt.edu) takes Shakil to task in article
<1992Apr9.205939.1@vaxb.acs.unt.edu> for presenting his views on the "fashi"
petition. Although Shakil and I have seldom seen eye to eye on a number of
subjects, I must say I find all this ranting and raving, this melodramatic
posturing, and yes, even the campaign of misinformation that Asif indulges
in at Shakil's expense, to be quite nauseating. In this case at least, I
believe Shakil is owed an apology.


Asif> 	  I am posting this letter to the net instead of [to] you [Shakil] is 
Asif> because there are some issues that all of us need to be cleared about.  

     Well then Asif, do enlighten us as to what all these issues are --
these issues that we need to be "cleared" about. Frankly, the remainder of
your article does nothing other than providing misinformation and taking
cheap shots at Shakil.


Asif> While it is very clear that you are not willing to sign the petition 
Asif> (which you have every right to do so under the U.S constitution??) ...

     Yes, Asif, the U.S. Constitution is such a buzzword, isn't it? It's so
very tempting to use it at the drop of a hat. But pray tell us, how is this 
relevant? Shakil could have been just as unwilling to sign the petition had 
he been living in Bangladesh. Or would you have had another mock trial there
to coerce him into signing it?


Asif> ... I think you should not say that you support AZAM.

     This line of yours really bothers me. I do not recall Shakil saying that
he supported Azam in any article. I sincerely hope that this was an honest
mistake on your part; I would hate to construe your supplying this piece of 
misinformation as a deliberate act.

     Shakil simply pointed out that calling for the execution of anyone without
personally examining the facts is tantamount to attempted lynching. If Azam is 
indeed guilty (and it appears quite likely that he is) let his guilt be deci-
ded by an official court of law, not by a mob that remains, despite the noblest
of intentions, in the final analysis naught but a mob.


Asif> You have the right to make your decisions  when you do so but in the 
Asif> process of doing so you should also consider the emotions and hatred that
Asif> the rest of the Bangladeshis(All except you) share about Golam Azam. 

     Asif, please do not presume to speak for me and all the other Bangladeshis
on the Net. Do note that I am a Bangladeshi citizen who does not "share" this
"hatred" towards Azam. If he is found guilty by the law, by all means, let him
be sentenced and punished accordingly; but this vengeance-inspired "hatred",
this I cannot subscribe to.

     By the way, Asif, the truth does hurt sometimes -- it does give rise to
painful "emotions". But insisting that Shakil "consider the emotions ... of the
rest of the Bangladeshis," i.e. implicitly suggesting that he not post his 
views because they might hurt your feelings, is asking for a little too much,
wouldn't you say?


Asif> Is it time that you reconsider your citizenship Mr. Ahmed?! Or is it the
Asif> "Yale" in our node address!

     Charming, Asif. Do tell me, in your imaginary utopia, is the citizenship
of all those people who do not agree with you revoked? As for the "Yale" in 
Shakil's node address, I hope you do not find the "Princeton" in mine equally
hazardous to your underdeveloped ego.

     Yes, Asif, this article is a flame. Grow up, analyse your reasons for
feeling strongly on any subject, then debate rationally and clearly without
stooping to cheap shots and insults. You'll find yourself treated with more
respect.

     Regards.
                                                           
 smahmad@phoenix.princeton.edu                             - Shaad -
 smahmad@pucc.BITNET
 
"Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and
 finds himself no wiser than before," Bokonon tells us.  "He is full of
 murderous resentment of people who are ignorant without having come by
 their ignorance the hard way."
                                 -- Kurt Vonnegut, "Cat's Cradle"
Newsgroups: soc.culture.bangladesh