Staff Reporter : An exhibition of paintings by Bangladeshi architect Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman began on a billboard in New York’s Time Square on Sunday (August 15) at 12:01 a.m. US time. Hundreds of leaders and activists of the United States Awami League, including Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Shahidul Islam, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations and Ambassador Rabab Fatima, attended the first-ever exhibition of some rare photographs of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Leaders and activists of the United States Awami League began to gather in groups in New York’s Time Square around 11 pm on Saturday. The photo exhibition starts from 12:01am. Hundreds of Awami League leaders and activists from New York and other states gathered there and chanted slogans. Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States M Shahidul Islam, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations and Ambassador Rabab Fatima and other officials and employees of the embassy were also present at the occasion.
Foreign Minister gave a video message from Dhaka. AK Abdul Momen. The brief discussion was attended by Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Sahidul Islam, Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United Nations Rabab Fatima, Consul General of Bangladesh in New York Sadia Faizunnesa, former President of the United States Awami League Dr. Siddiqur Rahman and many Al workers including Fahim Firoz, CEO of NY Dreams Productions spoke on the purpose of the event.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said in a video message ‘Bangabandhu has fought for the people all his life. He sacrificed his life for the realization of human rights. He has given us an independent and sovereign country. With that he gave us a dream. That dream is the dream of golden Bengal. We are following the ideals of Bangabandhu and working under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to achieve that golden Bengal by 2041. ‘
He called upon all expatriates to take part in the development of Bangladesh. The Foreign Minister termed the initiative to highlight Bangabandhu on the billboard of Times Square as ‘extraordinary’.
Ambassador M Sahidul Islam said, ‘We never organize any joy in the month of mourning. However, I am feeling proud to come to today’s event. Because, through this exhibition on Bangabandhu’s life and work on the famous billboard in Times Square, the next generation is getting to know about Bangabandhu as well as the world is watching.
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Ambassador Rabab Fatima said, ‘Numerous tourists from all over the world come to this Times Square. There are countless people even in this deep night. Through this event the word Bangabandhu will spread deeply among them. At the same time, they will be able to know about the brutal murder of the father of the nation.
New York Consul General Sadia Faizunnesa said, “This Mahendrakshan is not like expressing in words. The presentation on the billboard of Times Square tells the father of the nation that he is also a world friend. I have a humble request that the expatriates should present the true history of Bangabandhu and Bangladesh’s freedom struggle to the world in this way.
Fahim Firoz, CEO of the entrepreneurial organization, said, “The aim was to present the Father of the Nation to the world court on the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and 50 years of independence.” He has made such an arrangement out of deep love for Bangabandhu.
The expatriates say that the effect of this arrangement of presenting Bangabandhu in the world court will be far-reaching. Tourists from other countries who were present at Times Square at the time were also seen standing still. Many of them came and wanted to know the details about the event. Many have been encouraged to learn more about Bangabandhu. Special prayers and munajat have been offered there wishing peace of soul to the martyred members of Bangabandhu and his family.
The exhibition of rare pictures of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will run till 11:59pm on Sunday. Bangabandhu’s picture is being displayed for 15 seconds every 2 minutes in 24 hours. Its total duration will be 3 hours and will be displayed a total of 720 times.
Leaders and activists of the United States Awami League, including Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Shahidul Islam, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations and Ambassador Rabab Fatima, congratulated NY Dreams Productions on this great initiative and thanked its leader Fahim Firoz.
Fahim Firoz, head of NY Dreams Productions, said in a brief statement that the initiative to display Bangabandhu’s picture on a billboard in the historic Times Square was a completely personal initiative. There is no political involvement with it. He said, “We took the initial initiative of this exhibition of rare pictures of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.” He sincerely thanked all those who helped make our initiative a success.
BP/SM
