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Last week there was a global meeting on AIDS in Toronto. All the speakers dealt with the issue in many ways. They talked about medications, related fiscal issues and about an urgency of social awareness to combat the disease but no one raised the core issue as to why this epidemic is in the society today. Since AIDS is a sexual disease, we must talk about sexual morality. The question of morality is important because the epidemic of AIDS is directly related to sexual morality. Many people who advocate universal freedom also demands that there should be absolute sexual freedom as well. I firmly believe that in those areas where our sensual aspects are very closely related we must exercise some caution to stop morality from becoming a matter of convenience. Most of the African societies, the worst suffering continent, are still primitive in nature and there is no real moral guidance related to sexuality. This is a case of ignorance. But what about the other nations such as India and the West? There is an urgent need to speak about the truth of sexual morality along with other measures to control this epidemic of AIDS. India being a very ancient moralistic nation is facing this epidemic. India still has that traditional moral values alive and can control this disease if they honestly promote their rich moral values. In the West the situation is not that easy. The ideals of total freedom in all the spheres of life have taken deep root and the idea of sexual freedom is a fundamental one. They will go for safe sex rather than considering the morals related to sex. This is a very complex situation for anyone who is concerned about the state of our attitude towards morality.
   Akbar Hussain
   Toronto, Canada

The biggest obstacle to a fair resolution to the conflict is the Israelis whose military campaign has thus far failed and they are desperate to save face.
   The best way for Israelis to guarantee their own security is to agree to implement the seven-point plan put forth by premier Fouad Siniora of Lebanon. This plan, which has already been agreed to by Hezbollah, satisfies all of Israel’s security concerns by fully addressing the grievances on both sides. Siniora’s plan gives Israel a rare opportunity to achieve what it will never be able to achieve through military means. It is an opportunity that the Israelis cannot afford to miss.
   Syed Nazmul Alam Nadvee
   Gulshan, Dhaka

I just returned from Mumbai after spending a week there. The experience I had this time is worth mentioning. Panic and a sense of insecurity were floating every where. The UK terror plot and the US advisory messed up the pre-independence day festive mood. I noticed alertness and suspicion everywhere. My name and my nationality on my passport caused stir in the hotel and every institute I visited. My card key of the hotel room had to be recharged every time I returned to my hotel. The reception politely explained the reason as a security alert. None of the passengers on the Air India flight was allowed to carry cabin bags. My name and my passport caused extra strain on the immigration officer. He had to consult with his colleague before putting exit stamp on my passport. When I thanked him for clearing me at last, the officer looked embarrassed. I felt sorry for those otherwise hospitable and friendly people. In every encounter they tried to explain the situation to me. As if I did not know that! Whom should we blame for this intolerable situation? Everybody will put the blame on some misguided persons. Because of some misguided persons the whole world is suffering.
   I don’t agree with these people. I say some other people are responsible for this crime and violence. These things are happening because of the tolerant and compromising attitudes of the leadership of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and other Muslim populated nations. Unless we make it clear to fanatics and bigots, that religions have nothing to do with politics, and religions must be kept reserved only for spiritual and social wellbeing of people, the situation will not improve.
   MH Khan
   Dhaka