Publication of “Ajker Shatabdi” special Issue on Dr Ansar Ahmed and Poetry Anthology, edited by Shahed Rahman

Bangla Mirror Desk :

 

Publication of “Ajker Shatabdi” special Issue on Dr Ansar Ahmed Ullah and Poetry Anthology, edited by Muhammed Shahed Rahman

With the participation of numerous literature enthusiasts, dignitaries, and well-wishers, a joyful event titled “Launch and Conversation with Authors and Well-wishers” was held in London to mark the publication of two works: the Dr Ansar Ahmed Ullah Special Issue of the magazine ‘Ajker Shatabdi’ and the poetry collection ‘Befete kobita likar Agei’, both edited by Muhammed Shahed Rahman.

The event took place at Pur Chai seminar hall in East London on 3 October, organised by the UK Bangla Reporters Unity and supported by the British Bangla Progressive Writers Association. The seminar room of the Pure Chai Café was transformed into a gathering place for British Bangladeshi literary enthusiasts, artists, journalists, teachers and cultural activists.

The chief guest of the event was Councillor Muhammad Islam, Deputy Mayor of the London Borough of Croydon.
The event was presided over by Professor Md. Shajidur Rahman, Joint Convener of the British Bangla Progressive Writers Association and President of the UK Bangla Reporters Unity.

The welcome speech was delivered by Muhammed Shahed Rahman, editor of ‘Ajker Shatabdi’ magazine and former principal.
Poet Mizanur Rahman Miru, Secretary of UK Bangla Reporters Unity and Member Secretary of the British Bangla Progressive Writers Association, conducted the programme.

After the formal reading launch of the ‘Ajker Shatabdi’ special issue and the poetry collection Bilete Kobita Likar agei, many distinguished guests shared their reflections, including popular actor Shadhin Khasru, Former Spe Ahbab Hussain, journalist Matiar Chowdhury, poets Hamid Mohammed, Dilu Naser, Mashuk Ibne Anis, Mujibul Haque Moni, community activist Abdul Malik Khokon, journalists Sayem Chowdhury, Juyel Raj, Syeda Naznin Sultana Shikha, Amina Ali, and several officials of UK Bangla Reporters Unity’s former Secretary ATM Moniruzzaman, current Vice Presidents Jamal Ahmed Khan, Jubair Ahmed, former Treasurer S. K. M. Ashraful Huda, Muhammad Saleh Ahmed, current Treasurer Dr. Azizul Ambya, Assistant Treasurer Poet Hafsa Noor, Assistant Secretary Mirza Abul Kashem, Media and IT Secretary A. Rahman Oli, Organising and Training Secretary Md. Suez Miah, Poet Foyzur Rahman Foyez, NL24 presenter NurunNobi Ali, photographers Nahid Jaigirder and Shamim Ashraf, among others.

Poet Imdadun Khanam, Poet Asma Matin, Poet Faysal Ayyub and recitation artist Fahmida Deepa performed poetry recitations.

Speakers at the gathering remarked that Dr Ansar Ahmed Ullah has dedicated a significant portion of his life to research, journalism, and creative work for the community, investing his time, intellect, and labour. Recently, he earned his doctorate degree for his research on racism. In recognition of his achievements during his lifetime, the magazine ‘Ajker Shatabdi’ published this special issue. Speakers expressed gratitude to the magazine’s editor, Muhammed Shahed Rahman and his team for their creative initiative.

Discussing literary culture in Britain, the speakers noted that human history and literature have always walked hand in hand. From the cave-dwelling era to the modern diaspora, people have expressed their creativity through art and poetry. Even in exile, Bangladeshi writers in Britain have not forgotten their literary roots, expressing their joys and sorrows through verse. This is beautifully evident in the newly published anthology ‘Before Writing Poems in Britain,’ featuring poems by seventeen poets. The anthology’s cover was designed by Dhruba Esh, to whom the organisers also extended thanks.

 

Expressing deep emotion, Dr Ansar Ahmed Ullah thanked everyone present, the editor, organisers and participants. In his speech, he reflected on his journey since the 1980s, touching on themes of racism, history and heritage in Britain, supported by his research findings.

It is worth mentioning that the Dr. Ansar Ahmed Ullah Special Issue of Ajker Shatabdi, edited by Muhammed Shahed Rahman, features writings by Dr Sam Halvorsen, Professor Alastair Owens, Professor John Eade, Dr Chris Tang, Jalal Rajonuddin, Dr Sean Carey, Sujit Sen, Matiar Chowdhury, Sunaher Ali, Asad Ahmed, Julie Begum, Ruhela Begum Rahman, Shadin Khasru, Shamim Azad, Hamid Mohammed, Mahmud A. Rouf, Nazrul Islam Bashon, Syed Anas Pasha, Faruk Ahmed, Md Sajidur Rahman, Ahad Chowdhury Babu, Sujon Miah, Syed Abul Monsur Lilu, Abdul Malik Khokon, Pushpita Gupta, Syeda Naznin Sultana Shikha, Sharaf Ahmed, Md. Monjur Rahman, Mirza Abul Kashem, S.K.M. Ashraful Huda, and Shah Mustafizur Rahman Belal.

The published poetry anthology ‘Before Writing Poems in Britain’ was compiled and edited by Muhammed Shahed Rahman, with the cover design by Dhruba Esh.
It was published by Oxford Bangla Publications, a creative publishing house under the Sanglap Media Group, located at 133 New Road, East London, UK.

The anthology features poems by seventeen British Bangladeshi poets, Nuruzzaman Moni, Hamid Mohammed, Mujibul Haque Moni, Dilu Naser, Mashuk Ibne Anis, Lutfur Rahman Kamali, Mujib Eram, Jawaher Hossain, Muhammad Shahed Rahman, Mizanur Rahman Miru, Foyzur Rahman Foyez, Faisal Ayub, Situ Miah Kamali, Fahmida Yasmin, Debarghya Chakraborty, Muhammad Saleh Ahmed and Salma Begum.