Dhaka City Exhibition in the UK

The Exhibition

M Ahmedullah developed and launched the exhibition in London in 2005 to celebrate the 100 years anniversary of Dhaka regaining the status of a capital city on 16 October 1905. The Exhibition provided highlights of the city’s history and present-day dynamism, through photographs, written texts, sounds and interviews.

Curzon Hall, currently part of Dhaka University’s Science Dept. It was originally built to be a town hall and as part of the building-programme to develop Dhaka as a provincial capital city to be established in 1905. The foundation stone was laid in 1904 by Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India

The exhibition was launched at the City Hall on 24 May 2005 by London Assembly Member Murad Qureshi, who also provided a range of prior support that made it easy for me to undertake the project.  The occasion was the reception given by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingston, to the Bangladesh Cricket Team who was visiting London to play their first-ever Test Match with the English Team at the Lords Cricket Ground. 

Many people in the UK and Bangladesh provided unconditional support and help in developing and delivering the exhibition. He is very grateful for all their support.  Different individuals helped in different ways. 

In the UK

Frank Small (Librarian at Morpeth School), Andrew Amos (Librarian at Mulberry School), Cllr. Khalil Kazi (Newham), Rumman Ahmed, Bahauddin Latif, Cllr. Graham Lane (Newham), Murad Qureshi (London Assembley Member), Niaz Alom, Bodrul Alom, Muhammad Ali, Kumar Murshid, Monowar Badrudduza, Lukman Ahmed, Rubel Ahmed, Cllr. Ayub Ali (Newham), Margaret Barr (Tower Hamlets Education), Noel Penstone (Greenwich Council Equalities), James Morrison (Greenwich Council Education), Masood Lone (Camden Council Equalities), Cllr. Nasim Ali (Camden), Cllr. Helal Rahman (Tower Hamlets), Cllr. Helal Abbas (Tower Hamlets), Stephen Murray (Tower Hamlets Arts), Rotimi Akinseti (Greenwich University), Dr Nazia Khanom, Sujel Miah, Cllr. Apu Bagchi (Bedford).

In Bangladesh

Md Imtiazul Haque (a young brave student who took him everywhere in Dhaka even when he was scared to go places with my camera), Abdul Wasey Khan Hashu, Romel Ahmed, Rakiba Ahmed, Waliur Rahman Sujon, Nizamuddin Awlia Leepu, Sadeka Chowdhury, Rani Shihan Padamse, Jahan-E-Alom Borham.

During 2005-2010, the exhibition toured various places including Mile End Arts Pavillion, Stephen’s Lawrence Gallery in Greenwich University, Stratford Central Library, Luton Central Library, Camden Bangladesh Mela, South Camden Youth Access Point, Swiss Cottage Gallery, Morpeth School, Mulberry School, Brady Centre, City Hall, Departure Centre, Idea Store Whitechapel and Forest Gate School.  In addition to thousands of people who visited the exhibition, a total of 40 school visits took place at the Mile End Arts Pavillion and Stratford’s Central Library where he provided guided tours and ran a quiz.

Below you will find copies of various publicity materials regarding the exhibition and invitation cards for private views during the launched at various places.

Dhaka City Exhibition in the UK Publicity Brochure

Dhaka City Exhibition in the UK Mile End Arts Pavilion

London celebrates Bangladesh cricket team’s historic test series at Lord’s

Tuesday 24 May 2005                                          

Former England cricket captain Nasser Hussain, His Excellency Mr A H Mofazzal Karim, High Commissioner for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom and His Excellency Mr Anwar Choudhury, High Commissioner to Bangladesh were amongst the speakers at Tuesday evening reception for the Bangladesh cricket team, hosted by London Mayor Ken Livingstone.

The event at City Hall has been organised to mark the first cricket test series between England and Bangladesh to be held in the UK, and the historic first test match to be played by the Bangladesh team at Lord’s.

Other speakers are: David Collier, Chief Executive, English Cricket Board, Robin Marlar, President Designate of the MCC and Ali Ashgar, President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

The Mayor, Nasser Hussain and the Bangladesh team are being joined for a photo call by young cricketers involved in Chance to shine, a new campaign that has just been announced, with the aim of rejuvenating cricket in state schools in England and Wales.

The Mayor said today: ‘It is an honour to welcome the Bangladesh cricket team to City Hall. London has the largest Bangladeshi community in Europe, around 154,000 people, and the Bangladesh team’s visit will help raise the profile of the community living here and the strengthening ties between our countries. London and Dhaka signed a Friendship Agreement in 2003 to celebrate the contribution of London’s Bangladeshi community to the life of capital and we are seeing increased activities aimed at economic and cultural exchange.

‘I hope the Bangladesh team enjoys playing at Lord’s. As well as being the home of cricket, Lord’s is planned to be the venue for archery if London successfully bids to host the Olympic Games in 2102.’

Murad Qureshi AM said: ‘I’m really looking forward to the first Test Match between England and Bangladesh. It will be an historic occasion and I can’t wait to soak up the atmosphere. It will also be a great opportunity for the Bangladeshi community in London to come and support the team at Lord’s the ‘home of cricket’. It also demonstrates the cultural diversity of London and its ability to play host to sporting representatives from around the world.’

Guests attending the reception include Assembly Member Murad Qureshi; Baroness Pola Uddin; the Rt Hon Lord Pendry; Lisa Aziz of Sky News; Ali Ashgar, President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board; Muquim Ahmed, Director, Bangladesh British Chamber of Commerce. 

  1.  London has the largest Bangladeshi community in Europe, with a population of over 154,000 Bangladeshis, making up 2.2% of London’s total population.
  2. The London- Dhaka Friendship Agreement was signed in September 2003 by the Mayor of London and Mayor of Dhaka, Sadeque Hossain Khoka. It aims to build on London’s existing ties with Bangladesh and its capital city.
  3. Since 2003 London and Dhaka have shared best practice on traffic management, city finances and waste management. The Mayor of Dhaka sent musicians from Bangladesh to participate in the 2004 London Mela.
  4. Last year five of Bangladesh’s top vocal artists performed at the London Mela, which is supported by the Mayor; later this year the Bangladesh-British Chamber of Commerce will be holding the Expo Bangladesh 2005 in London’s Barbican Centre (September 15 -17).
  5. Guests also have an opportunity to preview Dhaka City, an exhibition organised by Muhammad Ahmedullah of Bangladesh Heritage to celebrate the centenary of Dhaka regaining its status as a capital city on 16 October 1905. The exhibition highlights the city’s history and present-day dynamism, through photographs, written texts, sounds and interviews and is due to be shown at venues and events across the capital, before going round the country.
  6. Food for the event is being provided by Ollie Rahman’s Ginger, London’s first Bangladeshi Restaurant serving the traditional cooking of Bangladesh and award winner of the Best Bangladeshi Restaurant in the UK 2004/2005.
  7. Chance to Shine is spearheaded by former trades union leader Bill Morris to raise £25m for the development of cricket in schools, part of a 10-year strategy to revitalise grassroots cricket in England and Wales.’

London Borough of Newham celebrates Black History Month

October sees the return of Black History Month and this year there’s a whole host of events being staged around Newham. Just take a look and see for yourself!
….

Dhaka City Exhibition – Monday 3rd to Sunday 16th October – Free

The exhibition will celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Dhaka regaining the status of a capital city on 16th October 1905 through photographs, texts, interviews etc. Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and a major centre for culture, education, industry and trade. The exhibition is very informative, interesting and educational for adults and children.’

Friday, October 2005

UNIVERSITY CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY

The University of Greenwich is continuing its programme of special events to mark Black History Month with a lively selection of talks, presentations and exhibitions.  

Black Travellers in Nineteenth Century Africa will be the central topic of a history research seminar led by David Killingray, Emeritus Professor of History from Goldsmiths College, at 1pm on Wednesday, October 12, Room 075 Queen Anne Court, Maritime Greenwich campus. Contact 020 8331 9059 or email [email protected].  

Meanwhile, Dr Willam (Lez) Henry will be discussing How Black Music Became Urban from 6.30pm – 9pm, on Friday, October 14, at the Norbert Singer Lecture Theatre, Mansion Site, University of Greenwich campus, Avery Hill. Booking is advised, contact Maureen Branch-Davis on 0208 331 9301/8255 or email [email protected].

A special Black History Month exhibition, Dhaka City,

will be running at the university’s Stephen Lawrence Gallery, Queen Mary Court, Maritime Greenwich, from Monday, October 17, to Sunday, October 23. The exhibition celebrates the centenary of Dhaka regaining the status of a capital city on 16 October 1905. It provides highlights of the city’s history and present-day dynamism, through photographs, written texts, sounds and interviews. The gallery is open 10 am to 5 pm weekdays, contact 07941 125901.  

On Wednesday, October 19, Identifying Strangers: Gypsies and Whiteness will be the topic under review in an education and training research seminar led by Dr Kalwant Bhopai. The seminar at Room 075, Queen Anne Court, Maritime Greenwich, starts at 4.30pm. Contact 020 8331 9919 or email . [email protected]  

Former BBC children’s presenter and author Floella Benjamin will be at Room 101, Stephen Lawrence Building, Maritime Greenwich, from 6pm – 9pm on Thursday, October 20, to answer questions following a screening of the 60-minute film adaptation of her acclaimed book, Coming to England.  

Coming to England tells the story of Floella’s journey from Trinidad to London in the 1960s when she was ten years old. Contact Maureen Branch-Davis on 020 8331 9301/8255 or email diversity@ gre.ac.uk.  

Black History Month at the University of Greenwich will culminate in a second exhibition at the Stephen Lawrence Gallery, Queen Mary Court, Maritime Greenwich, entitled Orature.   Orature, staged by the Narrativiti Collective, fuses visual art, spoken word, dance and live music to explore diasporic arts and what it means to be an African in Britain today.  

Orature will be open weekdays, 10am to 5pm, from Monday, October 24, to Friday, October 28. Contact 07941 125901.  

Admission to all University of Greenwich Black History Month celebrations is free. For full details, visit What’s On at www.greenwich.ac.uk.

Dhaka City Exhibition – Monday 3rd to Sunday 16th October – Free


The exhibition will celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Dhaka regaining the status of a capital city on 16th October 1905 through photographs, texts, interviews etc. Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and a major centre for culture, education, industry and trade. The exhibition is very informative, interesting and educational for adults and children.