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Pilgrims return to Mecca for ‘Umrah’ after 7 months
Rtv news
04 Oct 2020, 17:55
Kaaba Sharif
After seven months of shutdown, pilgrims have started to return to Mecca as Saudi Arabia eased coronavirus restrictions.
A very small, limited number of people donning the white terrycloth garment symbolic of the Muslim pilgrimage circled Islam's holiest site in Mecca on Sunday, reports AP.
The Saudi Arabia kingdom had taken the rare step of suspending the smaller “umrah” pilgrimage that draws millions year-round from across the world in early March as the coronavirus morphed into pandemic and prompted countries to impose lockdowns and curfews to slow down transmission.
But as nations begin to ease those restrictions, the Saudi government on Sunday started allowing a maximum of 6,000 pilgrims a day to enter the sprawling Grand Mosque in Mecca.
Only Saudi citizens and residents will be permitted to enter the mosque during this first phase of reopening, and each person has up to three hours to complete the pilgrimage.
The Grand Mosque, which is being sterilised and cleaned multiple times a day, houses the cube-shaped Kaaba that observant Muslims pray toward five times a day.
Loosening restrictions in phases
Before visitors can enter the mosque to pray or perform the umrah, they have to apply and reserve a specific time and date through an online application to avoid crowding and maintain social distancing.
Visitors can also select via the app their means of transportation and meeting points.
State TV showed on Sunday what appeared to be fewer than 50 people circling the Kaaba at the same time and walking several meters (feet) apart.
Typically, the mosque would be packed with worshippers from around the world crowded shoulder-to-shoulder at all times of the day and night.
The second phase for loosening restrictions at the Grand Mosque comes into effect on October 18, allowing a maximum of 15,000 pilgrims and 40,000 for prayer from among residents and citizens based on allocated times via the app.
Muslim travelers from outside Saudi Arabia could be allowed to perform the umrah pilgrimage as early as November 1, the Interior Ministry has said.
Saudi Arabia recently began easing some restrictions on international flights for the first time since March.
The kingdom held a dramatically downsized, symbolic hajj pilgrimage in July due to concerns that it could easily have become a global super-spreader event for the virus.
Pilgrims were selected after applying through an online portal and all were residents or citizens of Saudi Arabia. Rather than the more than 2 million pilgrims the kingdom hosts for the annual event, as little as 1,000 took part after being tested for the virus and quarantined.
Despite taking early and sweeping measures to contain the virus, Saudi Arabia has recorded nearly 336,000 cases, including 4,850 deaths.
Source: UNB
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The world’s most expensive drug priced at $4.25 million
The one-time treatment, Lenmeldy, which is a new gene therapy for an ultra-rare disease for children will cost $4.25 million, making it the world’s most expensive drug in the world.
Recently Lenmeldy was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday. The first gene therapy for metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) for a rare and fatal disease called early-onset metachromatic leukodystrophy, or MLD primarily affecting children under the age of seven.
It is a fatal disease in which infants sometimes start to lose the ability to walk and talk. Orchard Therapeutics the company that makes Lenmeldy said in a statement Wednesday ( March 27) the drug’s price “reflects its clinical, economic and societal value.”
According to Orchard, the disease MLD affects about one in 100,000 live births, and fewer than 40 children a year in the U.S.
The company (Orchard Therapeutics) focuses on developing gene therapies, which aim to correct the underlying genetic flaws that cause inherited diseases. Recently the company was acquired by the Japanese drugmaker Kyowa Kirin Co.
However, The wholesale cost for this lifesaving therapy isn’t usually what patients pay, but it’s a cost that’s considered and shouldered by public and private health insurance plans, including state Medicaid plans, which cover roughly 4 out of every 10 children in the United States.
EU probes Apple, Google, Meta under new digital law
European Union regulators have opened investigations into the tech giants in the first application of the new Digital Markets Act. The tech lobby has criticized the move, saying it was "rushed."
US tech giants Apple, Google and Meta were targeted by European Union regulators on Monday, as the bloc opened its first investigations into "non-compliance" with its new Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The sweeping DMA legislation was passed into law earlier this month.
The law aims to prevent big tech companies from cornering digital markets while creating a fairer digital space by curbing how the biggest companies act online, including ensuring they give users more choices.
"We are not convinced that the solutions by [Google parent company] Alphabet, Apple and Meta respect their obligations for a fairer and more open digital space for European citizens and businesses," said the EU's internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton.
If found guilty of failing to comply with the new law, the EU Commission, the bloc's executive arm, can impose fines of up to 10% of a company's total global turnover, rising to 20% for repeat offenders.
The DMA is an accompaniment to the EU's Digital Services Act groundbreaking legislation to put in force measures to moderate illegal content and prevent, for example, the promotion of hate speech on their online platforms.
What have been the reactions?
The Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA), a leading international tech lobby group, criticized the move, which it said sent a "worrying signal."
"As we all know, data takes time to collect. What we see now, however, sends a worrying signal that the EU might rush into investigations without knowing what they're investigating," said the head of CCIA Europe, Daniel Friedlaender, as reported by AFP news agency.
Google said that it has already made "significant changes" to the way its services operate in Europe to comply with the DMA – including recent changes to its Google Maps service.
"We will continue to defend our approach in the coming months," Google's director of competition, Oliver Bethell, said.
Apple said it is confident that its move to allow iPhone users to switch web browsers more easily complies with the DMA, and that it will "continue to constructively engage with the European Commission as they conduct their investigations."
Silent Hands Support distributed Ramadan food packs to 200 needy families in Bakshiganj Upazila
On 22nd March 2024 , 200 underprivileged families residing in the rural areas of seven unions in Bakshiganj Upazila received Ramadan food packages. The initiative aimed to alleviate the struggles faced by vulnerable households during the holy month.
Bakshiganj Upazila's Nirbahi Officer, Ahona Jinnat, along with Rafiqul Islam, General Secretary Silent Hands Support and Tarikul Islam Sanvi, were present at the distribution among others. Also in attendance were Mohammad Alauddin, Mahmudul Hasan, Tanvir Hasan, and Minhaj Uddin, the regional representative of Silent Hands Support from Jamalpur district.
Expressing her gratitude, Ahona Jinnat emphasized the importance of community support in ensuring that no one goes hungry during Ramadan. She highlighted the collaborative efforts of individuals and organizations in extending a helping hand to those in need, particularly in the remote areas where resources are scarce.
In a heartfelt message, Tahamina Ahammed Tania(Tajj Momo) the founder of the organisation ,expressed her profound gratitude to all the volunteers and donors who made the distribution possible. She stated, "During this blessed month of Ramadan, let us remember the importance of compassion and generosity towards those in need. Together, through acts of kindness, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this noble cause."
The recipients expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the timely assistance, expressing hope for more collaborative efforts to uplift the underprivileged segments of society. As the holy month progresses, initiatives like these serve as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the power of compassion and collective action in creating a more equitable society.
Thar: The language of the Bede community - a rereading
I have already read various discussions about the book 'Thar: The Language of the Gipsy People'. This book became an exceptional book of our time in terms of research, content, presentation, cover and outlook.
I would like to start with a quote from Professor Maggie Tallerman [author of Language Origins : Perspective and Evolution] of Newcastle University. She said, "Humans are the only species which has developed complex spoken and written language, because of the communicative languages we are different from other animals." There are thousands of languages in the world. Chinese Mandarin is spoken by 1 billion people. On the other hand, the number of language users of the Gipsy community is only about forty thousand. Author Habibur Rahman has worked on such a language which has no script. Again, the language does not belong to the Indo-European group, the world's largest language family.
This huge book of 368 pages has a total 22 chapters. The chapters are progressed according to the research methodology. At the very beginning, the author's fascination about the reputed linguist Chomsky emerges with certain clarity.
As the language of the Gipsy community is different, so is the language of the 'Rishi' or 'Mochi' community. However, the language of this scheduled class has nothing in common with the language of the Gipsy community. As the language has no script, some scholars have attempted to identify it as a sign language or 'uncivilized language'. However, linguist Sukumar Sen says, 'Specific words (adopted from one or more languages) are used in a special sense to convey confidential information or to make others unable to be comprehended but necessary dialogues naturalized in public for dishonest purposes. Such use of language is called uncivilized labguage or Apartha-Bhasha.'
Another study unfolds the fact that the 'Bede' community was identified as suspicious during the British rule. Even today they are leaving behind the example of being involved in any criminal activities for the sake of livelihood.
Author Habibur Rahman says in the introduction of the book, that 'Traditionally, the life of the 'Bedes' are centered on boats. In the last few decades, due to rapid improvement of the overall communication system in the country and the reduction of the navigability of rivers and canals, their lifestyle has also been changing. The so-called talisman mantras and herbal medicine profession of the ancestors of the community is declining alarmingly with the development of modern medical methods and the wide spread of technology. As a result, most of these people are involved in various criminal activities and deteriorating the law and order situation in various areas. In order to earn a living, they have been joining into the drug trade. The leave for Teknaf with the boxes of the snakes, and comes back with the bundles of Yaba drugs.'
When the author was serving as the Superintendent of Police in Dhaka district, he first noticed the issue and decided to change their criminal mindset gradually.
Many writers in Bengali literature have tried to portray this vulnerable community. Pallikobi Jasimuddin wrote the play 'Beder Meye'. Poet Nazrul wrote some noteworthy songs on this tribe. Tarashankar Banerjee wrote short story 'Bedeni'. Tozammel Haque Bakul made a feature film 'Beder Meye Josna'. It is known as the most successful movie of all time in Bangladesh. Malkosh is one of the ragas in North Indian music genre. Some music researchers believe that this raga originated from the tunes of the Gipsy community.
We believe that the information included in the book of writer-researcher Habibur Rahman will play an extraordinary role in the study of this small ethnic group in the future. Not much work has been done in Bengali language on minority languages. Some work has been done on the Garos and Chakmas in the past. After reading the book, it seems that the author has given ideas and links to the future generations of scholars. The book has already received national and international recognitions. Like APJ Abdul Kalam Medal and International Mother Language Award-2023. The later award was presented by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Habibur Rahman's book is a proof that one can be engaged in basic research while performing government duties. Author Habibur Rahman is currently Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). He is associated with various creative and innovative works too. Thanks to Panjeri Publications for publishing such a unique book. The cover of the book has been designed by Rajeev Raju. He has dedicated the book to his physician wife Dr. Wazed Shamsunnahar Disha and son Aftan Afif Abdullah.
At the end I will be happy to quote from poet Kamal Choudhury about the book : 'Habibur Rahman wrote the book following the participation observation method of research. When a researcher start researching on a specific subject, he has to come out from the shell and dares to enter inside. Habibur Rahman is successful showing his courage through unplugging the facts and documents.'
The writer of this article is a lawyer of Supreme Court. Former Banker and the first initiator of filing case against the killers of Bangabondhu
Rain likely in 4 divisions including Dhaka in next 24 hours
Rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at a few places over Dhaka, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country.
This information was given by the BMD bulletin for the next 72 hours from 9 am on Friday (29th March).
According to the forecast, an extended part of the western low lies over West Bengal and adjoining areas. And the Seasonal low lies over the South Bay. Day and night temperature may rise slightly over Dhaka, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions.
There is a possibility of rain in one or two places of Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions on Sunday (March 31). Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.
Student politics can be reintroduced at BUET campus: VC
Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Satya Prasad Majumder has said student politics can be reintroduced on the campus if teachers and students want.
He told to reporters on Sunday (March 31) at noon.
Dr. Satya Prasad Majumder said that the teachers and students had decided to ban politics in BUET earlier, they will have to take initiative again to change that decision. If they decide, then maybe politics can reintroduced at the campus.
At the same time, the BUET Vice-Chancellor urged the protesters to take part in the class and examination.
The students claimed that the BCL central leaders had organized a program at the campus around 1am amid the ban.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Students League (BSL) leaders and activists paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing floral wreaths at his mural at the BUET campus on Saturday.
Earlier, BUET student Abrar was tortured to death by student leaders in 2019. At that time, student politics was banned on paper in the context of the demands of teachers and students. At the same time, the general students claim that politics did not stop even for a moment in the institution. Rather, extremist political organizations are taking advantage of the ban on student politics.
High Court allows student politics in BUET
The High Court has postponed the decision to ban political organisations and activities in Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and allows student politics.
Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice KM Zahid on Monday (April 1) passed the order over hearing a writ petition.
Earlier in the morning, a writ petition was filed with the High Court seeking permission continue systematic student politics on BUET. The writ petition was filed in the relevant branch of the High Court.
On October 11, 2019, BUET student Imtiaz Hossain Rahim filed the writ petition challenging the legality of the 'emergency notice' issued by the BUET authorities.
