Civic reception in London for poet-playwright Abu Taher upon being awarded the MBE by the British monarch

 

 

By Motiar Chowdhury:

 

Golapganj Social and Cultural Trust UK' has accorded a civic

reception to Abu Taher—a distinguished son of Golapganj and a noted poet,

playwright, organizer, and accountant—in recognition of his being awarded the

MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by King Charles III for his

outstanding contributions to the British-Bangladeshi community in London.

This reception was held on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM local time at the

London Enterprise Academy on Commercial Street. Presided over by the

organization President, Md. Dilwar Hossain, and jointly moderated by

General Secretary Masud Ahmed Jowardar and Board of Trustees member

Maruf Ahmed, the event was attended by the Speaker of Tower Hamlets

Council, Councillor Barrister Mushtaq Ahmed, as the chief guest.Special guests

present included writer and researcher Faruk Ahmed, poet Ataur Rahman

Milad, former Chairman of Shahjalal Islami Bank Harun Miah, General

Secretary of Golapganj Helping Hands UK Masuk Ahmed, organization advisors

Rafiqul Islam Nazrul, Abdus Samad, and Maruf Rashid, as well as Vice-

Presidents Helal Uddin, Humayun Kabir Chowdhury, Abdul Kadir, and Fakhrul

Islam.

The event commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran by organization

member Hafiz Tamdir Qadir, followed by a welcome address delivered by the

organization's former president, Tamijur Rahman Ranju. Journalist Abdul

Munim Jahedi Carol, Sayad Ahmed Saad (Founding President of

Golapganj Helping Hands UK), and Aminul Haque Jilu (General

Secretary of the UK Jalalabad Association and Joint General Secretary

of the London Bangladesh Centre) delivered speeches at the reception

ceremony. Music artist Mita Taher, poet Mohammad Iqbal (President of

the United Kingdom Combined Literary and Cultural Council), poet-

journalist Anwarul Islam Abhi, poet Mosahid Khan, poet Noman Ahmed,

and poet Iqbal Hossain Bulbul, Senior journalist Matiar Chowdhury, poet

and writer of rhymes Dilu Naser, poet Masuk Ibn Anis, poet and writer

Advocate Mujibul Haque Moni, former lecturer of Chandarpur Degree

College Zia Uddin, and General Secretary of the UK Online Press Club

Azizul Ambia, Siddiqur Rahman, General Secretary of Budhbaribazar

Union Welfare Association UK; Shamim Ahmed, Treasurer of Global

Jalalabad Association UK; community figure Badrul Alam Babul; Khaled

Ahmed, Organizing Secretary of Golapganj Social and Cultural Trust

UK; and Kamal Uddin, Membership Secretary; Senior members of the

Board of Directors committee include Abdul Aziz Faruk, Iqbal Ahmed

Chowdhury, and Zillul Karim Chowdhury, among others.

Speakers at the reception highlighted various aspects of the life of poet and

playwright Abu Taher, describing him as a thorough gentleman who shuns the

limelight. He works quietly and unobtrusively. This honor belongs not only to

the residents of Golapganj but to all expatriates from the greater Sylhet region

and to all Bangladeshis. We are proud of his achievement as a British-

Bangladeshi. Expressing his feelings, Abu Taher MBE said, "What can I say? I

am at a loss for words. I remain forever indebted to all of you for the honor

you have bestowed upon me today. Please pray for me so that I may live up to

it."

At the meeting, an eight-minute short documentary on the life and work of Mr.

Abu Taher MBE—planned and scripted by founding member Misbah Masum

and directed by rhymester Dilu Nasser—was screened via projector. This

documentary highlights the literary works, community service, and charitable

activities—both at home and abroad—of Accountant Abu Taher MBE. A

commemorative crest was presented to Abu Taher MBE on behalf of the

organization. The crest was handed to him by Faruk Ahmed—a prominent

businessman and member of the organization—along with Treasurer Kawsar

Ahmed Jaglu and other distinguished guests present. A dinner was also hosted

for the attendees.