United News of Bangladesh

ActionAid's two-day festival – organised to celebrate the resilience of communities of Bangladesh and the country's glorious heritage, culture, and traditions – ended Friday in Dhaka. The event "Festival of Resilience: People, Planet and Possibilities" aimed to encourage celebration and participation among communities in recognition of their stories of resilience. For decades, the people of Bangladesh have faced countless challenges, such as climate and human-induced disasters, inequalities, economic instability, refugee crisis and pandemic. But every time, the mass bounced back with the power of resilience and survived with renewed vigour. Read: ActionAid to celebrate Bangladeshi resilience, cultural heritage A very recent example would be the last two years, during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, when the collective effort of the people of this country helped communities stay hopeful and agile. To celebrate the innate quality and resilience of people, ActionAid Bangladesh organised the festival. Through a wide and immersive range of activities, the festival helped celebrate the people, their strength, joy, and solidarity. Key attractions of the opening day included a performance by Happy Home girls; the inauguration of exhibition and kiosks; opening dialogue on the "Multi-dimensional perspective of resilience."

Here's some good news for art lovers out there. Gallery Cosmos is organising an exclusive art event -- 'The Passion of Drawing-2' -- on Saturday at the Garden Gallery in Dhaka's Baridhara. The event is intended to celebrate the universal and jovial artistic pleasure of drawing, according to Gallery Cosmos executive artistic manager Sourav Chowdhury. As one of the introductory activities of humans across the world, drawing accompanies an artist forever.  Also read: Noted artists celebrate Spring at ‘The Passion of Drawing’ by Gallery Cosmos To celebrate the essence of drawing in this mesmerising monsoon, Gallery Cosmos is hosting this second edition of this exclusive art event, titled 'The Passion of Drawing-2', with a celebratory vision to explore the innate and everlasting connection between humans and nature. Six leading and promising artists of the country will participate in this event. These stalwart artists are Biren Shome, Farida Zaman, Abdus Shakoor Shah, Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Anukul Mojumder and Abdullah Al Bashir. Also read: Cosmos dialogue on Dhaka-Jakarta ties to premiere on Wednesday These prominent artists will participate in drawing sessions and interact with audiences over their respective paintings. The drawings will also be put on display simultaneously for the audience.

Featuring captivating artworks made by 105 amateur artists, a group exhibition titled “The Magical Brush" returned with its second season at the Safiuddin Shilpalay, Dhanmondi in the capital on Monday. Art patron Mahfuz Canvas is presenting the second season of "The Magical Brush," the flagship exhibition of youth group AllStar, which is co-sponsored by Moon Calligraphy. The exhibition was inaugurated by 2022 Ekushey Padak winner and renowned actor, director, writer and painter Afzal Hossain, who lauded the flamboyant effort of the amateur artists. “Back when we first commenced our creative journeys, our passion propelled us forward, and we were fortunate to have the support of some amazing, understanding souls.  Nowadays, all we see is people snatching opportunities from one another, which is why this exhibition impressed me as unique because of the artistic collaboration between the artists and the organizers.” Afzal Hossain said as the chief guest. READ: Curtain falls on indeginous artists’ exhibition

Portraying the scenic and picturesque beauty of Rangamati through refreshing artworks, a group exhibition titled ‘Weaving Art of the Hills’ came to its closure on Saturday night. Inaugurated on May 21, the closing ceremony of the group exhibition was held at the Abinta Gallery of Fine Arts, Badda in the capital, joined by Dipankar Takulder, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee, Ministry of Food, as the chief guest. Abul Khair Litu, the Chairperson of Bengal Foundation, eminent artist Abul Barq Alvi, and noted actor and activist Sara Zaker joined the event as special guests. Read: Bashir Ahmed Sujan's solo panoramic photography exhibition begins at AFD The event was also joined by eminent photographer and artist Nasir Ali Mamun, art maestro professor Farida Zaman, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Fine Arts director Syeda Mahbuba Karim and more. Organized by the Abinta Gallery alongside Ethnic Artists Forum, a platform for indigenious artists to express their views and thoughts towards art and culture, the exhibition displayed a total of 65 artworks made by 44 indigenious artists including Mong Mong Sho, Lumbiny Dewan, Mong Shonie Rakhine, Jayatu Chakma and more. The majority of the participating artists in this exhibition were students from several universities' Faculty of Fine Arts and Fine Arts Colleges, who represented several ethnic groups such as Marma, Rakhine, Chakma, Tripura, Garo, Hajong, Koch, and Manipuri. Read: Goethe-Institut Bangladesh, HerStory Foundation present The Myth Bridge The artists' use of vibrant colors in depicting their thought-provoking artistic narratives, portraying the realest and often unseen beauty of Rangamati, was lauded by the guests at the closing ceremony. They also praised the artists for depicting their thought-provoking artistic narratives through vivid colors, portraying the realest and often unseen beauty of Rangamati. With 85 young and talented artists, the Ethnic Artist Forum began its journey in 2019, founded by prominent indigenous painter Kanak Chanpa Chakma. 50 of these artists took part in an exclusive art camp in Rangamati in August 2019, and the artworks in this exhibition were created during that camp. However, due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, the exhibition could not take place in 2020 and the following year.  

Showcasing the scenic beauty of the hills and mountain regions of Rangamati and various means of subsistence of the locals and their customs, an exclusive group exhibition titled ‘Weaving Art of the Hills’ is currently being held at the Abinta Gallery of Fine Arts in the capital. Organized by the Abinta Gallery alongside Ethnic Artists Forum, a platform for indigenious artists to express their views and thoughts towards art and culture, the exhibition was inaugurated on May 21. Joined by Secretary (West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury, renowned artist and art-maestro Professor Mustafa Monwar, Turkish Ambassador in Dhaka Mustafa Osman Turan and Managing Director at Berger Paints Bangladesh Ltd Rupali Chowdhury as the guest of honor, the exhibition was presided by the Chairperson of Abinta Gallery of Fine Arts Nilu Rowshon Murshed. Also read: Bashir Ahmed Sujan's solo panoramic photography exhibition begins at AFD

The 123rd birth anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam will be celebrated in the country on Wednesday in a befitting manner. Known and regarded as the ‘rebel poet’ for his iconoclastic and majestic literary creations, Kazi Nazrul Islam was born at Churulia village of Burdwan in the Indian state of West Bengal in 1899. Nazrul through his fiery poems had inspired people to fight against injustice and repression of the colonial rule. Aiming to observe the glorious day amid festivities without the fear of COVID-19 for the first time in two years, the maximum number of government and non-government organizations and different cultural platforms chalked out separate programmes with cultural performances and discussions on the life and works of the rebel poet.  This year, the government has announced the theme of the birth anniversary celebration of the national poet as the “Rebel’s Centenary.” According to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the events observing the 123rd birth anniversary of the national poet will begin with placing floral wreaths at the grave of the poet at Dhaka University at 6:30 am.  State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid and Secretary Abul Mansur will be present on the occasion alongside other officials of the Ministry and its associated wings and departments. The main event marking the national poet's 123rd birth anniversary will take place at Cumilla Birchandra Public Library and City Auditorium premises (Town Hall) at 11 am.  Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud will be present at the opening ceremony as the chief guest, which will also be joined by Nazrul’s granddaughter Khilkhil Kazi as a special guest. Country’s leading cultural institution Chhayanaut is set to organize a two-day "Nazrul Uthsab '' from May 25 at the Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban, Dhanmondi in the capital.  This year, the event is welcoming in-person attendance for the first time in the last two years, and the festival will be featuring performances inspired by Nazrul's literature and songs at Chhayanaut's auditorium at 7 pm. The festival will also be aired on Chhayanaut's official Facebook page and YouTube channel. On Tuesday, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU) in Trishal, Mymensingh, inaugurated a three-day celebration programme, featuring discussion, awards ceremony, photography exhibition and cultural programmes.  Also read:Nazrul’s ‘Bidrohi’ recited by hundred people in a chorus in Chuadanga Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar was present as the chief guest at JKKNIU’s Gahi Sammyer Gaan Mancha on the first day’s event at 11 am. Vice-Chancellor Prof.Soumitra Shekhar chaired the event, which was also joined by Poet Muhammad Nurul Huda, Director General of Bangla Academy as the special guest. On the occasion, eminent Nazrul sangeet exponent Sujit Mostafa was awarded with the Nazrul Padak. The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) organized a solo music show of renowned Nazrul exponent Khairul Anam Shakil on Tuesday. The event, titled “Nazrul Sangeet Sandhya” was held at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy at 6:30 pm. Many other organizations and institutions including Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Kazi Nazrul Institute and more will be organizing special events, marking the 123rd birth anniversary of the poet. Several television channels, radio stations and online platforms are organizing special programmes, marking the occasion. Newspapers will publish special supplements on the occasion. According to the Nazrul Institute, Kazi Nazrul wrote 2,600 songs, 600 poetry, three novels, and 43 articles in a career spanning 21 years before losing his speech. After the death of his father, Kazi Nazrul obtained a job as a caregiver and also worked as a muezzin at a mosque to support his family. At the age of nine, he had to drop out of school to join a Churulia-based professional ‘leto' company. He was introduced to Bangali and Sanskrit literature while working for the group. He returned to school a year later and enrolled at Matharun English School, but dropped out again in Class VI due to poverty. After a while, police officer Kazi Rafizullah took him in at his home in Trishal, Mymensingh, and enrolled him in Class VII at Darirampur School. Serving the British Army in 1917 as a soldier, Kazi Nazrul started his literary career within a few years. His cult-classic poem ‘Bidrohi’ (The Rebel) was published in 1921. A year later, he started a fortnightly magazine named ‘Dhumketu’ (The Comet). His nationalist participation in the Indian Independence Movement landed him in the hands of colonial British authorities on several occasions.  While in prison, Kazi Nazrul authored the 'Rajbandir Jabanbandi' (Deposition of a Political Prisoner), and his creations later encouraged Bangladesh Liberation War. Freedom, humanity, love and revolution are the constant themes in Kazi Nazrul's majestic literary creations. He was against all sorts of religious, caste-based, and gender-based discrimination and extremism. He wrote short stories, novels and essays, but his songs and poems are his most critically acclaimed literary creations. He popularised Bengali ghazal melodies, and is noted for his liberal usage of Arabic and Persian terms in his writings. Kazi Nazrul created a new genre in music called ‘Nazrul Geeti’, a collection of 4,000 songs that he wrote and created the music for, many of which were recorded on HMV. In 1942, Kazi Nazrul began to lose his voice and memory due to an unexplained ailment. Later, a medical team in Vienna identified his illness as Pick's disease, a rare and incurable neurodegenerative disease. His family travelled to Bangladesh at the invitation of then Bangladeshi government and settled down in Dhaka in 1972. For his iconic contribution to Bangla literature and culture, Dhaka University awarded him an honorary post-doctoral degree in 1974. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1976.  Kazi Nazrul breathed his last in Dhaka on August 29, 1976. Also read: Remembering Nazrul, a poet par excellence! President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages highlighting the colourful life of the poet and his contributions to Bangla language and literature. In his message, the President said, “Nazrul’s write-ups inspired us in all democratic movements including the anti-British movement, the Language Movement, the Mass Uprising in 1969, and the Liberation War.” “I firmly believe that the new generation will be able to enrich themselves through the practice of Nazrul and will play a role in building a happy and prosperous ‘Sonar Bangla’ with patriotism and honesty.” In her message, the Prime Minister said, “I believe Nazrul's write-ups will play a role in building a non-communal, peaceful, happy, prosperous and modern Bangladesh.” She also wished success of all programmes marking the day.

Renowned photographer Bashir Ahmed Sujan's exclusive solo panoramic photography exhibition ‘Stand Up, Dhaka’ (Darao, Dhaka) was inaugurated on Friday at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD), Dhanmondi in the capital. A book under the same title was also launched at the inauguration ceremony, published by Duniyadari Archives. This is Bangladesh's first vertical panoramic photography exhibition, providing a new and dynamic approach to exhibition and book-making in terms of format and gallery design. On Friday afternoon, the exhibition was inaugurated by Khondoker Mostafizur Rahman, Director General of Bangladesh National Museum as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony.  Eminent photographer Nasir Ali Mamun joined the event as its special guest, while Francois Grosjean, Director of Alliance Française de Dhaka and Architect Nurur Rahman Khan also attended the event as the guest of honour.

German cultural institution Goethe-Institut Bangladesh and HerStory Foundation are jointly initiating a co-creation project titled 'The Myth Bridge,' bringing together a group of Bangladeshi and German participants to write a modern day myth by playing out selected legendary heroines. The game will be played over the course of four-days in Dhaka and is based on Dungeons & Dragons. The game sessions, held at the Goethe-Institut from May 12-15 will be directed by Game Master, Wasi Noor Azam. Also read: 'Golden Jubilee Bangladesh Concert' held at Madison Square Garden in New York Regarding the unique venture, organizers said that 'The Myth Bridge' connects nine female characters from German and Bengali folklore, brought to life, across space and time, through a live-action simulation. The initiative involves a group of writers, illustrators, editors and translators and will result in a publication of the modern-day feminist myth and exhibition both in the digital and physical realms, according to the organizers. On Sunday, May 15 the finale of 'The Myth Bridge' game will be played to a live audience. According to Goethe-Institut Bangladesh and HerStory Foundation, this is going to be the first live Dungeons & Dragons game in Bangladesh. The event is open to all upon registration on the FB event page. Players will act out the final act of the story, bringing their adventure to an end. In the following months the editors and creative director will work to create a short graphic novel out of the events of the 4-day game. Also read: Again in the City, a new gift from artist "HOBEKI?" The final outcome of 'The Myth Bridge' project will be published for the Dhaka Lit Fest in early 2023. In the live action game, Sayeef Mahmud will play BON BIBI, Kazi Istela Imam will play CHADER BURI, Akramul Momen will play BEHULA, Saad Z Hossain will play BIBI MAA, and Salzar Rahman will play THE FOX from Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Lina Ehrentraut will play BRUNHILDE, Maki Shimizu will play REPUNZEL, Mia Sophie Oberländer will play FRAU PRECHTA, and Malwine Stauss will play SCHNEEWITTEN (Snow White) from Germany. As legends and folklore are told and spread across generations, the stories manifest themselves into worlds in 'The Myth Bridge.' According to the organizers, 'The Myth Bridge' is a reality that hosts stories where the characters come to life. Each world created in the Myth Bridge is a story of its own, and the more the story is told the more bridges it has to connect itself with the rest of 'The Myth Bridge.' Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop role-playing game made all the way back in the 1970s. Players create or choose a character and go through a fantasy themed adventure where the game can stretch as far as the imagination can go. The deciding factor of the outcome of the game is up to the imagination and ingenuity of the players, and of course, their luck with the polyhedral dice.

'Golden Jubilee Bangladesh Concert' was held at the world-famous Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York, USA on Friday, marking the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh's Independence and convey the potential and national image of Digital Bangladesh to the world. This special concert was held at the initiative of the Department of Information and Communication Technology and the management of the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority. Echoing the theme "Let the Music Speak," popular Bangladeshi band Chirkutt performed on the same stage alongside world-famous German band Scorpions at the historic event. Also read: Concert to celebrate 50 yrs of Bangladesh independence in NY on Friday Honouring Bangladesh by playing the national anthem at the beginning, the concert was joined by around 20,000 concert-goers at the world-famous venue, including many Bangladeshi expatriates and the global music lovers from different places around the world.

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it is a sacred duty for Muslims. Zakat is a way to purify your wealth and help those in need. It is a way to show your thankfulness to Allah for His blessings, and it is a way to help those who are less fortunate. Zakat is an important part of our faith, and it is a way to make the world a better place. Let's discuss how is Zakat calculated and why is Zakat important for purifying wealth and eradicating poverty? What is Zakat?  Zakat is an Arabic word which means "that which purifies." Zakat is the proportion of wealth that a Muslim is obliged to contribute to the community as a religious duty each year. However, the amount varies from person to person, but it is 2.5% of the wealth one possesses above the Nisab. The Nisab depends on the minimum wealth you have in a different category. For example, the Nisab amount for gold is 3 ounces or 87.48 grams; for silver, 21 ounces or 612.36 grams. Apart from this, Zakat is also incurred on your financial assets and savings that are not sued for your living expenses. Read Lessons of Ramadan: What does the holy month teach us? How to Calculate Zakat? Zakat is like taxes, and the calculation is a bit tricky as we do not pay throughout the year. To calculate, you will need to go through some steps. Tally Up All the Income Total up all your source of income and the assets you have owned for the last year. The sources include Gold & Silver, Cash, Investment Property*, Debts Owed to You*, Shares & Stocks*, Business Assets*, and Investment & Saving Funds*. All these sums up your total income for last year. Items marked with an asterisk (*) have some special instructions and considerations. You should check this Zakat Guide Booklet for details. Read Top 10 Historical Mosques in Bangladesh Calculate your Living Expenses and Immediate Needs This will include, Debts You Owe*, Personal & Living Expenses, and Business Expenses*. All these should be your expenses for last year. You will need these for the final calculation. Find out your total Zakatable Wealth Now, you just need to subtract the total expense from the total income. So, the calculation will be your last year's total income – your last year's living expense=, Your Zakatable wealth. Now find out if it is above the Nisab amount. However, whether you have gold or silver, you will need to find out the current cash amount of your Nisab threshold. Read How Model Mosques chime with Mujib Centenary: At the heart of each community If your Zakatable Wealth exceeds the Nisab threshold, you need to pay Zakat. But, if your Zakatable wealth is less than the Nisab threshold, you don't need to pay Zakat. The Final Calculation 2.5% of your Zakatable Wealth is your actual Zakat. Your Zakatable Wealth x 2.5%= total Zakat you need to pay for the year.