Apology and Explanation
An article published in the May 16 issue of The Daily Star's literature page titled 'Searching for Pir Shah Jalal' was deemed by some of our esteemed readers to have been irreverent and disrespectful to the memory and shrine of one of the greatest of Bengal Sufi mystics and revered religious figures. I fully apologize for causing such feelings among those readers. No offense against any religious sentiments and feelings was intended.
In this context, if I may be permitted, perhaps a little explanation is in order. The article was allowed to be published in order to illustrate the contrast between a younger generation of Bangladeshis who are curious but largely ignorant of such mystical and religious traditions (a feeling, incidentally, the author of the piece freely confesses to), and the veneration with which Hazrat Shah Jalal is held in by the average folk (exemplified by Helal bhai, who feels radiantly alive at having had the opportunity to pray at the dargah, and which the author has clearly pointed out). A certain tone and language that was objected to were allowed entry in the same spirit, to convey in the live, spoken language of present-day youth the gulf between generations and classes in Bangladesh about traditional symbols and meanings. In literary writing (which today encompasses a huge variety of genres and forms) a certain license has to be granted so that the stigma of censorship--a thing utterly antithetical to authentic expression-- is avoided.
Be that as it may, I reiterate that there was absolutely no intention to cause any offence, and it was wholly inadvertent. I also thank my readers for keeping me on my toes about their sensitivities, sentiments, and sensibilities, and hope they continue to provide support and aid to this tricky and thorny business of encouraging creative writing in English by Bangladeshis.
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