There will be both Waz and Baul songs in my constituency, says Rumeen Farhana

Barrister Rumeen Farhana, the member of parliament for Brahmanbaria -2, has strongly condemned the incidents of vandalism at religious shrines and the attacks on Baul song performances in the last 18 months during the rule of the interim government.

She said her constituency will welcome both Waz Mehfil, or Muslim religious gatherings, and Kirtan, Baul songs (a type of Sufi music).

Her remarks came at the inaugural ceremony of the 58th commemoration and annual Urs of spiritual saint Abdul Qadir Shah at Dagarisa intersection in the Ashuganj Upazila of Brahmanbaria on Thursday night.

The programme was organised by the Abdul Qadir Shah Library and was presided over by Ataur Rahman Babul, advisor to the library.

Rumeen said, "We have seen how the shrines were vandalised one by one in the last 18 months. Those who sing Baul songs, have been harassed and jailed."

"I am not aware if any politician protested the shrine vandalism, but I protested each of the incidents. There was one Baul song programme attacked in Sylhet the day after Eid-ul-Fitr."

She said, "I want to say this clearly that as long as this area falls under my jurisdiction, there will be Waz, Kirtan and also Baul songs."

Highlighting the importance of protecting the country's culture, she stated: "It is our duty to nurture and progress with our culture and heritage."

"It's our duty to enlighten our new generation about our culture. Those who perform Baul songs or are connected with the shrines, are parts of our culture."