Government ‘neutral’ on religious festivals, says Farooki

“All ethnic groups have been brought together to celebrate the new year. This has not happened in the last 54 years,” he says

Cultural Affairs Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has outlined the government's "neutral cultural policy" on religious festivals as it strives to uphold communal harmony.

Speaking at the World Cultural Policy Forum in Barcelona, Farooki highlighted Bangladesh’s “Ananda Shobhajatra” procession on Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year), saying: “The recently organised Ananda Shobhajatra, where all ethnic groups have been brought together to celebrate the new year, has not happened in the last 54 years."

“The initiative of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs focusing on Durga Puja, Eid and Buddha Purnima this year is proof of that,” he said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez opened the three-day event on Monday.

The event, billed as the world’s largest gathering of cultural policymakers, will conclude on Wednesday with more than 100 ministers and officials taking part. Bangladesh is represented by Farooki.

“The July Uprising in Bangladesh has transformed our socio-cultural differences into strength,” he said.

“The long-standing cultural divide, used politically, has scarred society. The interim government is committed to addressing these identified divisions and is working to build an inclusive cultural environment.”

Farooki also emphasised the role of public-private partnerships in innovative financing of culture and urged the global community to use digital media and OTT platforms to promote cultural content.