Expats celebrate Bangla New Year in UAE

Abu Dhabi - Dance programmes, skits and musical performances by students highlighted national culture and tradition.

Bangladeshi expats in the UAE celebrated the Bangla New Year, 1425, with colourful events on Friday. The Bangla New Year fell on April 14, a working day, and hence the event was marked on Friday.
The Abu Dhabi event was organised by the Bangladesh Embassy. Close to 1,500 members of the community took part in the procession, fair and cultural events held at Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School in Abu Dhabi.
Dance programmes, skits and musical performances by students highlighted national culture and tradition.
Bangladeshi Ambassador to the UAE, Muhammad Imran, remarked on the special occasion, "There are many children who haven't even seen Bangladesh. We wanted to create an environment similar to our nation. All the events held are similar to those followed in Bangladesh."
"The proceedings began in the morning with 'Mangal Shobhajatra', which is a procession to promote unity and peace. It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by Unesco. Then there were a fair held where traditional items were displayed.
"There was a food festival, which was actually a competition and all stuff was prepared by the women," the ambassador added.
Bangladesh Association - UAE president, Mohammad Moazzem Hossain, said such initiatives help everyone in the community learn about their roots.
"We support the embassy's initiative. Children are forgetting their own country and language. Such a day is advantageous for the new generation," Hossain said.
"Events were also held at the Bangladeshi Consulate in Dubai as well as other emirates with cultural programmes," he added.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

Expats celebrate Bangla New Year in #UAE - https://t.co/tbVHj17sp2 pic.twitter.com/yebAtsm29B
- Khaleej Times (@khaleejtimes) April 20, 2018

• Abu Dhabi