Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the death of Ekushey Padak-winning artist and cultural figure Mustafa Monowar. In a condolence message on Monday, the Prime Minister said Monowar’s passing created a profound void in the nation’s art and cultural sphere that cannot be easily filled. He prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extended sympathy to the bereaved family.

Mustafa Monowar, aged 90, passed away on Monday morning while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Dhaka. Widely respected for his contributions to painting, puppetry, children’s programs, and cultural development, he was recognized as one of Bangladesh’s most revered cultural personalities. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to art and culture, he received the Ekushey Padak in 2004.

Born on September 1, 1935, in Nakol village of Magura district, Monowar hailed from Manoharpur village in Shailkupa upazila of Jhenaidah. He was the son of noted poet Golam Mostafa.

The article traces the historical evolution of the Tazia procession, a ritual of mourning rooted in the remembrance of Imam Hussain’s martyrdom at Karbala in 61 Hijri. Originating as small gatherings of grief and prayer, the practice gradually developed into elaborate public ceremonies under dynasties such as the Buyids and Safavids. Over time, diverse cultural expressions of Ashura emerged across Muslim regions, from Iraq’s mass pilgrimages to Iran’s theatrical performances and Pakistan’s grand wooden replicas.

In Bangladesh, the Tazia procession centers on Dhaka’s historic Hosaini Dalan, built in 1642 during Mughal rule. The city’s main procession features silver-covered Tazias, symbolic horses, flags, drums, and martial displays, culminating at a symbolic Karbala ground. Despite its deep cultural roots, Islamic scholars remain divided over its religious legitimacy, with some viewing the rituals as inconsistent with orthodox Islamic principles.

The article concludes that while the Tazia procession’s intensity has softened over time, it endures as a living link to centuries of Islamic history and South Asian cultural synthesis.

Eminent Bangladeshi cultural figure and painter Mustafa Monowar passed away on Monday morning while undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Dhaka. He was 90 years old. According to family sources, he had been admitted to Square Hospital after his health deteriorated. His wife, Mary Monowar, confirmed the news.

Monowar had long suffered from various health complications. In June, his condition worsened, leading doctors to move him to the ICU. He had previously been placed on life support in September 2024 but later recovered partially. Recently, he fell ill again after contracting a bacterial pneumonia infection.

Born on September 1, 1935, in Nakol village of Magura district, Monowar began his career as an art college teacher and became a pioneer of puppet shows in Bangladesh. His television programs for children inspired generations. The son of poet Golam Mostafa, he received the Ekushey Padak in 2004 for his contributions to art and culture. His death has cast a shadow of mourning across the country’s cultural community, with admirers expressing condolences online.

Former Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Mohammad Tazul Islam, has called for the immediate reopening of the July Museum. In a Facebook post on Sunday, he described the museum as a reflection of what he termed Hasina’s fascist brutality and the unforgettable July revolution, urging that it be opened without delay.

According to the report, on January 20, 2026, former interim government chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus visited the museum during its final construction phase. He described it as an unprecedented global example and said the museum was built while the blood of the July martyrs was still fresh, expressing hope that it would guide the nation in times of uncertainty. Cultural adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki also noted that the project had reached this stage through voluntary efforts and rapid progress.

The call by Tazul Islam adds renewed attention to the museum’s status, which has been highlighted by previous remarks from national figures involved in its development.

A record-breaking amount of Tk 15 crore 90 lakh 80 thousand 146 was collected from the donation boxes of the historic Pagla Mosque in Kishoreganj. The counting, which began at 7 a.m. on Saturday, concluded around 8:30 p.m. The confirmation came from Additional District Magistrate and donation box committee convener Md. Ershadul Ahmed. Alongside the cash, a large quantity of foreign currency and gold ornaments was also found.

The donation boxes were opened in the presence of Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner and Pagla Mosque Management Committee President Sohana Nasrin, Additional Superintendent of Police Nazmus Sakib Khan, and other officials. Around 300 students from two madrassas and 130 Rupali Bank staff participated in the counting process, supported by mosque committee members, law enforcement, and army personnel. Donations are collected every four to six months from people of all backgrounds across the country.

According to the district administration, the funds are used for mosque and Islamic complex expenses, with the remainder deposited in banks. Interest from the deposits supports local mosques, madrassas, orphanages, and assistance for the poor and sick.

The 126th birth anniversary of historic Tebhaga movement leader Haji Mohammad Danesh was observed on Saturday in Dinajpur. Haji Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) organized a prayer gathering at his grave after the noon prayer. The university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Dr. Enamul Haque, along with teachers, officials, and students, attended the event.

The vice-chancellor stated that June 27 marks the 126th birth anniversary of the great peasant leader, while June 28 will be his 40th death anniversary. The university decided to commemorate both occasions. On Sunday, the university will hold prayers, a milad, and a grave visit in the morning, followed by a discussion on his life at 2:30 p.m.

Haji Mohammad Danesh, born in 1900 in Dinajpur, was a prominent leader of the Tebhaga movement and an influential figure in East Pakistan’s political and peasant movements. The agricultural college named after him was upgraded to HSTU in 1999.

The donation boxes of the historic Pagla Mosque in Kishoreganj were opened at 7 a.m. on Saturday, six months after the previous opening. The process took place in the presence of Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner and Pagla Mosque Management Committee President Sohana Nasrin, along with other committee members. Thirteen donation boxes yielded a total of forty-three sacks of money, and counting began under tight security. Law enforcement personnel were deployed to ensure the process remained orderly and peaceful.

The last opening of the boxes occurred on December 27, when thirty-five sacks of cash were collected, totaling 117.8 million taka after counting, along with foreign currency, gold ornaments, and various goods. The Pagla Mosque, located on the banks of the Narsunda River, is a 250-year-old religious site managed by the Waqf-State since May 10, 1979. It is revered by people of all faiths who believe that sincere donations there help fulfill personal wishes.

Due to this belief, devotees donate not only money but also gold, livestock, poultry, and other items, reinforcing the mosque’s reputation as a center of faith and generosity.

In Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj, 31 children and teenagers received bicycles after performing congregational prayers for 40 consecutive days. The award ceremony took place on Friday morning at the field of Uttar Marialoy Government Primary School in Marialoy village under Dhipur Union. The event was organized by the residents of Marialoy village.

Participants from four mosques—three in Marialoy and one in neighboring Shimulia village—joined the competition, with more than a hundred contestants in total. Alongside the 31 bicycle recipients, another 26 participants were awarded pressure cookers. The ceremony was attended by local dignitaries, including industrialist and social worker Haji Md. Sakhawat Hossain Sheikh as the chief guest.

Speakers at the event praised the initiative as a commendable effort to encourage the younger generation to perform prayers regularly and to strengthen their moral and religious values. Organizers stated that similar programs will continue in the future to promote religious practice and ethical education among children and adolescents.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury stated that over the past 18 years, Bangladesh’s civil administration, police, and all constitutional, autonomous, and cultural institutions have been destroyed. Speaking to journalists after a tree-planting event at the Jhenaidah District Council and Deputy Commissioner’s office grounds on Friday, June 26, he said the government is working to rebuild these institutions and restore the nation’s cultural heritage. He noted that Bangladesh has established cultural diplomatic relations with 48 countries to revive its lost cultural traditions.

The minister emphasized that the country’s cultural heritage is thousands of years old and rich, and that the government is taking steps to revive it. Excavations have begun under the Department of Archaeology to recover ancient relics, and initiatives are underway to activate the National Book Centre and public libraries nationwide. Efforts are also being made to collect and preserve nearly extinct folk traditions such as Bhatiali, Bhawaiya, Puthi literature, Khona’s sayings, and songs of Lalon Fakir.

Chowdhury urged people to reject obscene performances, saying such acts have no place in Bangladesh’s culture. He directed local administrations to promote healthy, tradition-based cultural practices.

The traditional Dashahara Ganga Bath festival of the Sanatan Hindu community was held on the banks of the Pagla River at Kansat in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj. From early Wednesday morning, thousands of devotees from different districts gathered to take part in the ritual bath seeking purification and spiritual renewal. The daylong event featured worship of Goddess Ganga, prayers, recitation of the Gita, and devotional songs.

As in previous years, the festival took place at the end of the Bengali month of Jaishtha, drawing large crowds to the Ganga Ashram and Gujarghat areas. Alongside the bathing rituals, a rural fair was organized featuring stalls selling cosmetics, wooden furniture, clay items, religious materials, and food. The kirtan performances added a festive atmosphere to the occasion.

Organizers said the event has been celebrated at this site since ancestral times, maintaining religious tradition and community participation. Local authorities and police ensured maximum security, deploying volunteers, village police, and law enforcement teams to manage the crowd and maintain order throughout the festival.

A feature article published on June 23, 2026, by Rehana Parvin Ruma in 'Amar Desh' profiles several world-renowned individuals who achieved remarkable success despite living with disabilities. The piece emphasizes that physical limitations did not deter these figures from excelling in their respective fields, offering inspiration to those who lose hope after minor failures.

The article recounts the lives of Miguel de Cervantes, who lost a hand in battle but continued writing; composer Ludwig van Beethoven, who created timeless music despite deafness; and Louis Braille, who invented the Braille reading system for the blind. It also highlights French actress Sarah Bernhardt, who continued acting after losing a leg, and inventor Thomas Alva Edison, who became deaf yet produced over two hundred inventions. Helen Keller, both blind and deaf, earned academic degrees and fought for the rights of disabled children, while U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt led his nation effectively despite being paralyzed by polio.

Through these examples, the article underscores resilience and determination as the driving forces behind extraordinary human achievement.

A two-day cultural program organized by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy concluded on June 22, marking World Music Day. The event featured colorful performances by renowned Bangladeshi artists, including solo and group renditions of Nazrul songs and folk music. The academy arranged processions, discussions, and concerts on June 21 and 22 to celebrate the occasion.

At the closing ceremony, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Adviser to the Prime Minister on political and cultural affairs, said that music has historically played a powerful role in movements for freedom, democracy, and rights. He cited examples from Bangladesh’s past, including the 1952 language movement, the 1969 mass uprising, and the 1971 Liberation War, emphasizing music’s enduring influence in social and political struggles.

The event was attended by Mymensingh Zila Parishad Administrator Emran Saleh Prince as special guest and JASAS Member Secretary Zakir Hossain Rokon as honored guest. Cultural Affairs Secretary Kaniz Mowla presided over the ceremony, which concluded with performances by several bands and invited artists from various embassies.

Renowned Bangladeshi artist and pioneer of puppet art Mustafa Monowar has been undergoing treatment in the ICU for several days due to pneumonia-related complications. Following reports of his illness, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs extended financial assistance to support his medical care. On Monday morning, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury and State Minister Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khayyam visited Monowar at Square Hospital in Dhaka, spending time with his family and handing over a financial aid cheque.

According to the ministry, the government remains committed to standing beside those who have made significant contributions to the nation’s art and culture during times of crisis. The ministry also expressed wishes for the artist’s speedy recovery.

Monowar’s wife, Mary Monowar, earlier told the media that his condition had worsened, leading to his hospital admission. The artist had previously been critically ill in 2024 but recovered before this recent relapse caused by pneumonia.

For the first time in 707 years, donations at the historic shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) in Sylhet were publicly counted under the supervision of the district administration. Over four and a half days, a total of 1,765,559 taka and seven ana of gold were collected from the shrine’s donation boxes and cauldrons. The counting concluded on Monday afternoon, with officials confirming the figures. A certificate praising District Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam’s initiatives was also found inside one of the cauldrons.

Earlier, on Thursday, the old cauldrons were sealed and nine new donation boxes were installed under administrative oversight. CCTV cameras were also set up to ensure transparency in the donation collection process. The shrine, one of Bangladesh’s most significant religious and tourist sites, uses donations for maintenance, development, and religious activities.

The public counting followed growing discussions about the shrine’s financial management. Authorities said the measures aimed to ensure transparency and accountability. However, on Sunday, the Public Administration Ministry reassigned DC Sarwar Alam without explanation, prompting protests in Sylhet demanding his reinstatement.

In Satkhira’s coastal upazilas, traditional rural games such as ha-du-du, gollachut, kanamachi, spinning tops, and kite flying are rapidly disappearing. Once a hallmark of village afternoons, these activities have been replaced by the lure of smartphones, television, YouTube, Facebook, and online games. The fields that once echoed with children’s laughter now remain silent as most spend their free time on screens.

According to recent research cited in the report, about 85.8% of Bangladeshi children under five experience excessive screen time, harming their physical health, social skills, and mental development. Elderly residents recall how these games once fostered friendship, patience, and teamwork, while parents and teachers now express concern over children’s growing isolation from outdoor play.

Educationists and community members emphasize that unregulated screen dependence poses a new challenge to children’s natural growth. They suggest reviving traditional games through school-based sports festivals, local competitions, and fairground events to reconnect the younger generation with Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.