Date: Fri, 31 Dec 1999 00:11:30 -0600 
From: FAROOQM@xxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) 

Subject: On seeking common grounds

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Shetubondhon Management recognizes the cancerous and long-term degradation effects of human conflicts and intolerance as the major stumbling block to our social, political, and national development. In this regard and in conformity with our stated objectives, Shetubondhon intends to start the new year with its First Topic of the Month "Conflict Resolution and Containing Intolerance". A formal announcement is forthcoming on the matter.

Management
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Salam and greetings. 

The world around us is full of conflicts, particularly accentuated by our differences that we seem to emphasize and magnify. Where does such unabated differences and conflicts lead us to? A major illustration is so close to our home; no, actually our homeland, Bangladesh. If we are to chart a new course or to "write" the future history of a different Bangladesh, then one can't help but recognize the importance and relevance of a new bridge-building, "common-ground"-seeking culture. I hope that this forum would remain focused in making its contribution in this regard. The kind of postings, especially with the spirit they are written, gives me tremendous hope and encouragement. 

In this brief, prefatory note, I would like to identify a few areas that we may engage together in exploring common grounds and bridging some gap. These areas are so vital to the context of Bangladesh: its society, culture, people, and faith. Among many others, the following must be included as starters in our exploration and discussion. 

1. Hindu-Muslim relationship (also Muslim-other faith) 
2. Bangladesh-India relationship 
3. Muslim-secularist relationship 
4. Feminist-anti-feminist relationship 
5. Majority-minority (religious/ethnic) relationship 
6. Orthodox-progressive relationship 
7. Incumbent-opposition political force relationship 

We have devoted so much of our creativity and passion in seeking, creating, and sustaining differences that discord, conflict and violence have become our culture. Can we at least try to reshape our culture by channeling even a fragment of our creativity and passion in seeking, creating and nurturing common grounds for a change? 

Winston Churchill: "A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." Professor Irwin Corey: "If we don't change direction soon, we'll end up where we're going." 

Best regards. 

Farooq 

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Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq 
Associate Professor of Economics and Finance 
Upper Iowa University
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