Sunday, October 15, 2006

Friday The 13th

Friday 13th October is a day of great significance in the history of Bangladesh. I am sure each and every person in Pakistan will join me in conveying our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Muhammad Yunus Khan, members of his family and the people of Bangladesh. May God bless him with health and the strenght to keep up his work in serving humanity.
On a lighter note, a combination of the day of the week "Friday", and the number "13" is dreaded by highly supersticious people, specially in western countries. They think "Friday the thirteenth" spells doom, and hotels and apartment buildings do not have a "13th Floor". Number 13 is supersticiously associated with the "last supper" of Jesus Christ, upon whom be peace. An expression which is very common, even among Muslims who, instead of saying "thank God" or "Alhamdulillah" would say "touch wood" - touching the wooden part of a furniture or their own head - without realising that, the "wood" they are referring to is the "wooden cross" reverred by the Christians.
Khwaja Sayeed Shahabuddin
Karachi, Pakistan
Saturday 14th October 2006

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