Dear Saa Nasta readers,
This week a Bangladeshi 19-year-old was fatally shot by the New York Police Department, March 26th marked Bangladesh Independence. Check out some tips on making the most of your last 10 days of Ramadan.
Peacefully,
Nargis
NYPD shots 19-year-old Win Rozario
In New York Win Rozario, a Bangladeshi man, called the police for help while he was going through mental health distress in Queens, New York.
The New York Police Department came to his home, where Rozario allegedly threatened them with a pair of scissors. After restraining him with a taser, officers opened fire and fatally shot him. His brother says his brother was wrongfully shot. He was taken to the Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The NYPD says they are reviewing bodycam footage to determine what happened. His family is demanding justice.
A vigil is being held by Lal Morich today in Jackson Heights Diversity Plaza.
A Nation Declaring Independence: March 26
Bangladesh Independence Day came after a long ongoing struggle to recognize the Bangla language and culture for East Pakistanis, who were ethnically Bengali. Pakistan made Urdu the official language, prompting outrage from Bengalis. This meant an erasure of not only language but also people who only spoke Bengali or Bangla. Furthermore, the lack of representation in government prompted the people of East Pakistan to seek independence.
On March 25, 1971, the Pakistani government began a mission called Operation Searchlight, seeking out Bengali intellectuals and politicians to crush the movement of Bengali resistance. That led to the first formal call for independence by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president of Bangladesh during the early hours of March 26 via radio - after calling for non-violent pushback a few weeks earlier. More than three million Bengalis died in this liberation war.
Bangladesh celebrates its Victory Day on Dec. 16.
Making the most of the end of Ramadan
The last 10 Nights of Ramadan are for a time to increase worship. It is a time when:
Worshippers ask for a savior from the Fire.
The Quran was revealed in totality after 23 years to Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.
Includes Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power, a night of worship that equals 1,000 months of worship. It’s located on an odd-number night. Verses of this night are found in Surah Al-Qadr.
Worshippers increase their good deeds and create long-lasting good habits to continue throughout the year beyond Ramadan.
Here are some tips to make the most of the last 10 nights.