What if I want to visit Israel?

by Mohshin Habib
June 10, 2011

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1505/what-if-i-want-to-visit-israel

It is my dream, since long time to visit the State of Israel. But is there any way to fulfill my dream? It has different reasons for me to get high concentration to visit this extra ordinary country. One of the reasons is, mankind always look to break the barrier as said 'Adam' was provoked by 'Eve' to have that very fruit which was forbidden by the Lord or the God or the Allah, whoever it is. Sadly enough, being a Bangladeshi, I am banned to visit this beautiful, historic land of ancient history. According to Bangladesh passport, no citizen is allowed to visit Israel. It is written prominently in each of the Bangladeshi passports, 'ALL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD EXCEPT ISRAEL'!

Ooh! It makes me more interested and more enthusiastic to visit the 'forbidden' country. I have many more reasons not to stick to with the illogical travel ban on Israel. I believe, an internationally less important country like Bangladesh can continue her unfriendly, hostile relation with Israel, but it will not bring anything good to the image of this country. Importantly enough, Bangladesh is not officially a Muslim country and Israel is no enemy country to Bangladesh as well.

A large segment of Bangladeshi people are non-Muslim who have no emotional or sentimental problems with Israel. There are now hundreds of free-thinkers like me, born in Muslim families, who are concentrating on humanity and human rights rather than religious guidance. Yes, there are political parties based on religion in Bangladesh. Religious fanatics give their own way of interpretation on Israel and instigate innocent people in hating the State of Israel.

Religious fanatics and Islamists are actively involved in poisoning minds of innocent people against Israel and the Jews. Though Bangladesh is a secularist State as per the constitution, parties in power are afraid of touching the issue of establishing relations with Israel or lifting the travel ban fearing adverse reaction from the voters. But this is now demand of time, in the light of civilize phenomenon, being a committed nation to international communities, to get rid of the written prohibition to a country never had a hostile passed with. My quest is: do the people of Bangladesh drive the government not to get any relation with Israel or the leaders themselves are not interested to have any relation with Israel. It needs to be clear. The leadership would consider that, the relations with Israel would have tremendously benefited Bangladesh through export-import businesses as well as developing country technology and infrastructure. Israel can be the most effective partner for Bangladesh in resolving the current power crisis.

I would not buy the contradictory practice going on in our society. The Muslims praying to Allah by saying 'Oh Allah, safe us as you saved the descendants of Abraham.' In reality, they want to see the descendants of Abraham are unsaved. One the other hand, the Arabian nations are meeting, talking for peace with the Israeli leaders, as we see Mahmud Abbas is shaking hands with Benjamin Netanyahu, then why we are deprived to meet or have contact with ordinary Israelis and peace loving people like? What is harm for Bangladesh just to erase the sentence written in the passport, thus allowing us to freely travel to Israel? Fear of not getting Arab money or help?

I am philanthropic, not misanthropist. If I am barred to get into a nation, am I not captive?

Mohshin Habib is a journalist with a vernacular daily in Bangladesh.

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