Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on relevant authorities to consider transforming the Amar Ekushey Book Fair into an international event starting next year. He made the proposal on Thursday afternoon while inaugurating the fair at the Bangla Academy in Dhaka. The Prime Minister highlighted the fair’s significance in honoring the martyrs of the language movement and its role in celebrating the spirit of the Bengali language.

He noted that the Ekushey observance has already gained global recognition as International Mother Language Day. Rahman said that turning the book fair into an international event would help citizens engage with world literature and learn about diverse languages and cultures. He emphasized the importance of knowledge, science, and technology in building a merit-based and prosperous society.

The Prime Minister also suggested that Bangladesh should begin efforts to achieve recognition of Bengali as one of the official languages of the United Nations.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized that establishing a knowledge- and merit-based state and society is essential for Bangladesh to thrive with dignity in a competitive global environment. He made the remarks on Thursday, February 26, 2026, while inaugurating the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 at the Bangla Academy premises in Dhaka under the theme “Multidimensional Bangladesh.” He also reiterated Bangladesh’s continued efforts to have Bangla recognized as an official language of the United Nations.

Rahman suggested transforming the annual Amar Ekushey Book Fair into an international event to promote global literary exchange and multilingual learning. He called for organizing book fairs across all divisions, districts, and upazilas throughout the year, with support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Highlighting the negative impact of internet addiction on reading habits, he urged the youth to rediscover the joy of reading printed books.

The event was attended by cultural leaders and government officials, including the cultural affairs minister, who described books as a source of enlightenment and identity. The Bangla Academy president encouraged citizens to gift books during Eid and work collectively toward a knowledge-based, prosperous Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman emphasized the need to increase young people's interest in reading books while inaugurating the Amar Ekushey Book Fair on Thursday afternoon. He cited research showing that regular reading strengthens brain cell connections, enhances memory and analytical ability, and reduces the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Rahman noted that while the importance of reading is well known, modern technology has become a major obstacle to this habit. He warned that internet addiction is making the younger generation less inclined toward books, even though reading online is possible. Citing studies from universities in the United Kingdom and Canada, he said excessive internet use poses a serious risk of diminishing students’ interest in study. He urged awareness of the negative effects of internet dependency.

The Prime Minister added that, on average, a person in Bangladesh reads about three books a year and spends only 62 hours annually on reading. He expressed hope that the Ekushey Book Fair would inspire more people to become regular readers and deepen their love for books.

A feature published on February 26, 2026, in Amar Desh presents reflections from several students of Eden Mohila College, Dhaka, on the courageous participation of women in the 1952 Language Movement. The article recounts how women defied Section 144, joined rallies, created posters, treated the injured, and faced arrests while demanding recognition of Bangla as the state language. Figures such as Rawshan Ara Bachchu, Sufia Kamal, and others are remembered for their leadership and sacrifice.

The students describe the movement as a symbol of identity, dignity, and resistance, emphasizing that women’s determination and humanity strengthened the struggle. They note that women’s involvement extended from the streets of Dhaka to districts like Chattogram and Satkhira, where many faced imprisonment. The article also connects the spirit of the movement to ongoing struggles for women’s rights and equality.

According to the reflections, the legacy of the Language Movement continues to inspire Bangladeshi women to stand against injustice, linking the historic fight for linguistic rights to broader movements for social and gender justice.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the Amar Ekushey Book Fair on Thursday afternoon at around 3:15 p.m. The event, delayed three times due to scheduling and publisher demands, has finally opened to visitors with a vibrant cultural atmosphere. Special arrangements have been made as the fair coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, including a three-tier security system established by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

Publishers expressed mixed reactions to the timing. Rafiqul Islam of Ruhama Publications said holding the fair during Ramadan carries spiritual significance, emphasizing knowledge and discipline. However, Ashrar Masud of Progoti Publications feared economic losses, predicting lower turnout during the fasting month.

DMP officials reported no specific security threats but confirmed heightened vigilance. Police monitoring will continue 24 hours a day, with uniformed and plainclothes teams, bomb disposal units, and SWAT on standby. Traffic restrictions have been imposed around Dhaka University, and strict cleanliness and no-smoking measures are in place to maintain a safe and orderly environment.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025 to nine distinguished individuals during the inauguration ceremony of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 on Thursday at 2:50 p.m. The event marked the official opening of the annual fair and the recognition of notable contributions to Bangla literature and related fields.

This year’s awardees include Mohan Raihan for poetry, Nasima Anis for fiction, Syed Azizul Haque for essays and prose, Hasan Hafiz for children’s literature, Ali Ahmad for translation, Mustafa Majid and Israil Khan for research, Farseem Mannan Mohammadi for science, and Moeedul Hasan for contributions to the Liberation War. The ceremony highlighted the diversity of literary and intellectual achievements across multiple disciplines.

The presentation of the awards at the book fair underscores the continued importance of literary recognition in promoting Bangla language and culture nationwide.

A feature article by Dr. Tawhidul Islam, published on February 26, 2026, explores how Islam entered and expanded in Bengal through economic and trade connections rather than solely through conquest. The piece traces the process from Muhammad bin Qasim’s Sindh campaign in 712 CE to Bakhtiyar Khalji’s conquest of Bengal in 1204 CE, emphasizing that commercial motives and political ambitions often underpinned these military movements.

The article highlights that Arab merchants had established strong trade ties with the Bengal region long before Islam’s arrival, facilitating cultural and social exchanges. These interactions, combined with the later arrival of Sufi preachers, helped spread Islamic ideals among local populations. The author argues that economic interests, maritime trade, and social contact were the main driving forces behind the religious and political establishment of Islam in Bengal.

The analysis concludes that Islam’s foundation in Bengal was primarily shaped by economic motivations and sustained trade relations, which fostered both cultural integration and religious transformation across the subcontinent.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented the Ekushey Padak 2026, one of Bangladesh’s highest civilian honors, to distinguished individuals for their outstanding contributions in various fields. The ceremony took place on Thursday morning at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. The awardees include Farida Akhter Bobita for film, Professor Md. Abdus Sattar for fine arts, Marina Tabassum for architecture, Ayub Bachchu (posthumously) for music, Islam Uddin Palakar for theatre, Shafik Rehman for journalism, Professor Mahbubul Alam Majumdar for education, Tejas Halder Josh for sculpture, and Orthi Ahmed for dance. The band Warfaze received the award as a musical group.

The event was presided over by Prime Minister Rahman and attended by cabinet members, senior military and civil officials, and invited dignitaries. The Ekushey Padak is awarded annually to recognize exceptional contributions to national life and culture.

The ceremony highlighted the government’s continued recognition of excellence across diverse creative and professional sectors, reinforcing the importance of cultural and intellectual achievements in national development.

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 begins today, Thursday, February 26, in Dhaka after multiple schedule changes and months of debate among publishers and organizers. The fair, organized by Bangla Academy, will run until March 15 and is being inaugurated by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. This year’s event coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, prompting special arrangements including fair pricing for iftar, prayer facilities, and extended evening hours. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has implemented a three-tier security plan for the fairgrounds.

Earlier, the fair’s start date was shifted several times due to the national election and Ramadan. Publishers’ groups had protested the delays and even held a symbolic fair on February 1. Following negotiations led by the new cultural affairs minister and state minister, the fair was rescheduled with waived stall fees and no pavilions. A total of 549 publishing houses are participating across 1,018 units, including 87 little magazines and 63 children’s publishers.

Security measures include 24-hour police monitoring, special patrols, and traffic restrictions around the fair area. Organizers have also pledged to maintain a clean, smoke-free, and polythene-free environment throughout the event.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will present the country's highest civilian honor, the Ekushey Padak 2026, to distinguished citizens at a ceremony in Dhaka. The event is scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium. Cabinet members, senior military and civil officials, and invited dignitaries are expected to attend the ceremony.

The Ekushey Padak recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions in various important sectors of national life. It is one of the most prestigious state awards in Bangladesh, symbolizing national pride and recognition of excellence.

After the award ceremony, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the annual Amar Ekushey Book Fair, the country's largest cultural gathering, at the Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan premises later in the afternoon.

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 will begin on Thursday, February 26, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurating the event at 2 p.m. The fair’s theme this year is “Multidimensional Bangladesh.” During the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister will also present the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025. The event will be chaired by Professor Abul Kasem Fazlul Haque, President of Bangla Academy, with speeches from Director General Professor Mohammad Azam, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, and State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam.

The fair will remain open daily from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., except on holidays when it will open at 11 a.m. Entry will close at 8:30 p.m. A total of 549 publishing houses will participate, including 81 at the Bangla Academy premises and 468 at Suhrawardy Udyan, with 1,018 units in total.

Organizers aim to make this year’s fair environmentally conscious and “zero waste,” banning polythene and smoking. Stalls and materials will use eco-friendly items such as jute, cloth, and paper, with regular cleaning and mosquito control measures in place.

Easter Island, a triangular volcanic island located about 2,300 miles west of Chile, remains one of the world’s most mysterious archaeological sites. The island, covering roughly 64 square miles, is home to hundreds of giant stone statues known as moai, many of which face the sea. Dutch explorers first documented the island after unexpectedly arriving there during a Pacific voyage. Local inhabitants reportedly worshipped the statues as deities but could not explain who built them or how the massive stones were carved and transported.

Following global attention, extensive research began on the island’s origins. Researcher Thor Heyerdahl suggested that settlers from Peru arrived around 380 AD, building roads, temples, and observatories. Another group from Peru allegedly took control in 1280 AD and created the statues, which feature elongated ears similar to Peruvian traditions. Around 1680, Polynesians from Asia arrived, and statue construction gradually ceased. The statues range from 3 to 36 feet tall and weigh about 20 tons on average.

Now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Easter Island continues to attract researchers seeking to uncover the secrets behind its monumental sculptures and ancient civilizations.

Nine writers have been selected for the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025, according to a press release signed by Professor Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy, on Monday. The awards will be formally presented by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the inauguration ceremony of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair organized by the academy on February 26.

The recipients are Mohan Raihan for poetry, Nasima Anis for fiction, Syed Azizul Haque for essays and prose, Hasan Hafiz for children's literature, Ali Ahmad for translation, Mustafa Majid and Israil Khan for research, Farseem Mannan Mohammadi for science, and Moeedul Hasan for Liberation War literature. The academy’s executive council approved the awards based on recommendations from the proposal and award committees.

Traditionally, the Prime Minister presents the awards at the opening of the month-long book fair each year. However, this year the fair did not begin on February 1 due to the 13th national parliamentary election, leading to the rescheduled inauguration on February 26.

Al-Azhar University in Egypt has organized daily iftar gatherings for 6,000 to 7,000 international students during Ramadan, including around 4,000 Bangladeshis studying there. The event takes place at the historic Al-Azhar Mosque, where students enter through the east gate using tokens issued after verifying their university identity. The arrangements are supervised by Dr. Muhammad Al-Duwaini, the university’s undersecretary, with staff preparing the meals well before sunset.

The mosque’s serene interior, surrounded by tall minarets, accommodates both male and female students in separate sections. The iftar begins with dates and water at the call to prayer, followed by traditional Egyptian dishes such as rice, local bread, chicken fry, kofta, vegetables, and desserts. A recitation from the Qur’an precedes the meal, adding to the spiritual atmosphere.

Bangladeshi student Abu Sawban Akand expressed that sharing iftar with thousands from different countries creates a unique sense of unity and gratitude toward the university. The initiative has become a symbol of brotherhood, compassion, and spiritual connection among students from around the world.

The upcoming Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 has been postponed by one day and will now begin on February 26, continuing until March 15. The decision was made at a meeting held Sunday night at the Shahid Munir Chowdhury Auditorium of Bangla Academy, attended by State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyum, Secretary Md. Mofidur Rahman, Director General Professor Mohammad Azam, Secretary Dr. Md. Selim Reza, and representatives of various publishing houses. The organizers also decided that there will be no pavilions at this year’s fair.

According to Dr. Selim Reza, publishers who had previously been allotted pavilions have agreed to remove them with the support of BAPUS leaders. Earlier, on February 18, the fair committee decided to waive stall rental fees for all participating publishers. Meanwhile, the publishers’ association ‘Prokashok Oikko’, which had earlier withdrawn from the fair over unresolved demands, announced its participation at a press conference held Monday at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Representatives of several major publishing houses attended the press conference, where they said the government had responded positively to several of their conditions, prompting their decision to rejoin the fair.