An article by Dr. Ahmad Anisur Rahman, published on February 3, 2026, emphasizes that Shab-e-Barat, known as the Night of Fortune, is an integral part of Bengal’s cultural and spiritual heritage. The piece describes how people across cities and villages in Bangladesh observe the night through prayers, charity, and remembrance of the deceased, seeking divine mercy and prosperity for the coming year. The author argues that maintaining this observance upholds the nation’s cultural distinctiveness and moral foundation.

The essay traces the historical and theological roots of Shab-e-Barat, citing Quranic verses and Hadiths that describe it as a blessed night of forgiveness and divine grace. It also discusses how colonial influences and misinterpretations led some to label the observance as ‘bid‘ah’ (innovation), which the author disputes by referencing early Islamic scholars who affirmed its legitimacy. The article concludes that Shab-e-Barat embodies both religious devotion and the enduring cultural identity of Bengal.

The author calls for preserving the spiritual essence of the night while avoiding wasteful or superficial practices such as excessive lighting or fireworks.

The holy Shab-e-Barat, also known as Lailatul Mubarakah, is being observed across Bangladesh on Tuesday with religious devotion. Muslims are spending the night in prayers, Quran recitation, and special supplications seeking forgiveness and divine blessings. The Islamic Foundation has organized programs at the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram, including sermons, Quran recitations, and prayers, continuing until dawn. The event began after Maghrib prayers, with religious scholars delivering sermons on the significance of the night. Similar gatherings are being held at divisional and district offices, Islamic Mission Centers, and Imam Training Academies.

Prime Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and political leaders including BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman issued messages marking the occasion. Wednesday has been declared a public holiday, and newspapers will not be published due to office closures on Tuesday. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has implemented maximum security across the country, increasing patrols and intelligence surveillance in major cities, mosques, and shrines to ensure public safety. Citizens have been urged to remain alert and cooperate with law enforcement during the observance.

Shab-e-Barat also marks the spiritual preparation for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called upon the people to pray for the welfare of the country and humanity on the occasion of the holy Shab-e-Barat. In a message issued on Monday, he described the night as an extraordinary opportunity to seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness through worship, charity, and self-reflection. The holy night will be observed across the country on Tuesday night, corresponding to the 14th and 15th of the Islamic month of Sha'ban.

In his message, the Chief Adviser extended greetings to Muslims in Bangladesh and around the world. He said Shab-e-Barat offers a unique chance for spiritual purification, forgiveness, and divine blessings. Citing religious teachings, he noted that Allah grants special mercy to His servants on this night, which is regarded as a blessed occasion.

Professor Yunus urged everyone to dedicate themselves to human welfare, avoid injustice and superstition, and illuminate personal, social, and national life with the peace and beauty of Islam. He concluded by praying for Allah’s forgiveness and protection for all.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the closure of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, one of the country’s leading cultural institutions, citing renovation and restructuring needs. The plan calls for a complete shutdown of the center for two years starting July 4, coinciding with the United States’ 250th Independence Day. The decision still requires approval from the center’s board of directors, most of whom were appointed by Trump himself.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that halting all entertainment activities would allow faster and higher-quality renovation, calling it the quickest way to elevate the “Trump Kennedy Center” to new levels of success and grandeur. He argued that ongoing performances such as concerts, operas, and ballets would delay construction work.

The announcement comes amid protests from artists and cultural groups who have canceled performances in opposition to Trump’s leadership and the addition of his name to the building. The Kennedy Center has not yet issued an official comment on the matter.

Egyptian-American entrepreneur Abdul Elenani has gained attention in New York for his Palestinian restaurant chain 'Ayat', named after his Palestinian-American wife, Ayat Masoud. The first branch opened in Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge in 2020, following the closure of his earlier outlets during the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant serves traditional Palestinian and regional dishes, including 'Maqluba', based on recipes from Masoud’s mother.

Since its launch, 'Ayat' has expanded to seven locations in Manhattan and one in New Jersey, with new branches planned in Washington D.C., Dallas, and Philadelphia. The Dallas branch is scheduled to open by the end of January. Elenani said the restaurant aims to share Palestinian culture and cuisine while raising awareness about Palestine’s identity.

According to the report, 'Ayat' became more widely recognized during Israel’s assault on Gaza, as public support for Palestine increased. Many customers who were previously unfamiliar with the term 'Palestine' learned about its culture through the restaurant’s food and story.

An interfaith harmony rally was held at Dhaka University (DU) on Sunday, February 1, 2026, to mark World Interfaith Harmony Week. The rally began at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla and was inaugurated by DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha as the chief guest. The event was jointly organized by the Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue and the Department of World Religions and Culture.

The rally was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Dr. Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan, the Director of the Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, Professor Dr. Mohammad Ilyas, the Chairman of the Department of World Religions and Culture, Professor Dr. Md. Abu Sayem, retired Professor Kazi Nurul Islam, and teachers and students from related departments. During the inauguration, Professor Bidisha emphasized the importance of establishing interfaith harmony in society.

She urged students to contribute from their respective positions to build a non-communal, humane, and discrimination-free society, and to develop themselves as knowledgeable and responsible citizens. The rally concluded after parading through various roads on the campus.

Dhaka University organized a 'Language Walk' on Sunday morning to welcome Language Month and mark the upcoming Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day. The event, initiated by the Department of Linguistics, began at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla and was inaugurated by Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha. The walk circled the university campus and concluded at the Central Shaheed Minar.

At the Shaheed Minar, teachers and students laid floral wreaths to pay deep respect to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement. Participants highlighted the significance of the movement, the dignity of the mother tongue, and the importance of preserving linguistic diversity. The event was attended by senior university officials including the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, the Proctor, and the Chairperson of the Department of Linguistics.

Organizers stated that the Department of Linguistics arranges this annual walk to honor the memory of language martyrs and to spread the spirit of the Language Movement among the younger generation.

Bangladesh has entered February, known as Language Month, marking the beginning of nationwide observances honoring the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement. From the first day of the month, social, political, and cultural organizations have launched various programs across the country, including at the Central Shaheed Minar and district towns. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has announced preparations to ensure peaceful and dignified observance of International Mother Language Day on February 21.

The Language Movement began in 1952 when students and citizens protested Pakistan’s decision to make Urdu the sole state language. Police opened fire on demonstrators in Dhaka, killing several, including Rafiq Uddin Ahmed, Abdul Jabbar, Abul Barkat, and Abdus Salam. Their sacrifice led to the eventual recognition of Bangla as a state language. UNESCO declared February 21 International Mother Language Day in 1999, expanding the commemoration globally.

This year, the traditional Amar Ekushey Book Fair, usually starting on February 1, will begin on February 20 due to the recent parliamentary election. The newly elected head of government is expected to inaugurate the fair, while Dhaka University will hold a symbolic language march from Aparajeyo Bangla to the Shaheed Minar.

A travel narrative by Md. Sakhawat Hossain recounts a six-day journey through Ethiopia, beginning with the arrival at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport. The writer describes the capital as a blend of modernity and history, highlighting visits to the National Museum of Ethiopia, home to the ancient fossil ‘Lucy,’ and the Entoto Hills, where the Entoto Maryam Church stands as a symbol of spiritual serenity.

The journey continues through Awash National Park’s rugged savanna, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela known as ‘Africa’s Jerusalem,’ and Bahir Dar’s tranquil Lake Tana, source of the Blue Nile. The traveler also visits the Blue Nile Falls and the Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its dramatic cliffs and rare wildlife such as the Gelada baboon and Ethiopian wolf.

Reflecting on the experience, the author portrays Ethiopia as a living canvas of history, nature, and humanity, where every landscape and encounter reveals a deeper connection between people and their ancient land.

India has conferred its 2026 Padma Awards on 133 distinguished individuals in the fields of art, literature, and social service. Among them, only five recipients are from the Muslim community, whose contributions have been described as remarkable yet numerically limited. The list includes South Indian film icon Mammootty, who received the Padma Bhushan, and artists such as Rajasthan’s Gaffaruddin Mewati Yogi and Gujarat’s Haji Bhai Kasam Bhai, who were honored with the Padma Shri for preserving regional art and culture.

The report highlights that despite Muslims comprising around 15 percent of India’s population, their representation among awardees remains minimal. This imbalance raises questions about inclusivity in national recognition, especially amid broader social tensions and reports of violence against minorities. The article argues that national honors should reflect the country’s diversity and inclusive spirit.

It further suggests that the limited Muslim representation may indicate institutional indifference and calls for a more equitable approach to recognizing talent across communities to strengthen social cohesion and public trust in state institutions.

The 14th Zakat Fair 2026 will begin on Saturday, January 31, at the Officers’ Club on Bailey Road in Dhaka. Organized under the theme “Zakat for Establishing Justice,” the fair will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Interim government religious adviser Dr. A. F. M. Khalid Hossain will inaugurate the event, which will feature three sessions.

At a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, fair organizing committee convener Dr. Mohammad Abdul Mazid said there is potential to collect one trillion taka in zakat across the country. He emphasized that proper zakat collection could help build a just, poverty-free society and empower recipients to become future donors.

Center for Zakat Management (CZM) CEO Dr. Mohammad Ayub Mia stated that the organization aims to collect 900 million taka in zakat this year. CZM has provided scholarships to 17,500 first-year university and medical students and operates over 60 primary healthcare centers nationwide offering regular medical services and medicine supplies.

An article published on January 29, 2026, revisits the 360th anniversary of Shaista Khan’s conquest of Chittagong, a decisive Mughal military campaign conducted between December 24, 1665, and January 27, 1666. The campaign, led by Shaista Khan’s son and chief commander Buzurg Umed Khan, began from Dhaka’s Lalbagh Fort and combined naval and land forces to capture Sandwip, advance through Jugidia, and finally cross the Feni River to launch the Chittagong assault. The four-day battle at the Karnaphuli River estuary ended with the defeat of the Arakanese forces and the expansion of Mughal control from northern to southern Chittagong.

The article contrasts this event with the concurrent Great Plague in England, describing 1665–1666 as Europe’s “Years of Wonder.” While England faced epidemic and war, Bengal witnessed the end of colonial disorder through Shaista Khan’s strategic victory. The conquest ended over a century of Portuguese and Arakanese dominance in Chittagong, restoring peace and stability to the region.

The piece highlights the campaign’s enduring recognition as a landmark in Bengal’s history for its tactical brilliance and its role in freeing the region from foreign control.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has cancelled the contractual appointment of Afsana Begum as director of the National Book Centre, citing irregularities and actions allegedly opposing the principles of the July uprising. The decision was followed by the appointment of writer and poet Sakhawat Tipu to the same post. Ministry officials claimed that Afsana Begum’s tenure was marked by favoritism in book selection and the promotion of narratives aligned with the previous Awami regime.

Officials alleged that the 2024–25 book selection list included multiple works by authors linked to the former government while excluding books supportive of the July uprising. They also accused Afsana Begum of forming a syndicate that gave undue advantage to preferred publishers and of attempting to challenge the ministry’s oversight authority. The ministry’s secretary stated that the cancellation was a routine administrative action consistent with government policy.

Afsana Begum denied all allegations, asserting that the selection process followed official guidelines and that final approval of book lists rested with the ministry. She argued that any controversy over the selected titles should be directed at the approving authorities rather than the committee.

The Ekushey Book Fair Struggle Council announced that the 'Amar Ekushey Symbolic Book Fair' will take place on February 1 at the Bangla Academy premises in Dhaka. According to a press release signed by the council’s general secretary, Delwar Hasan, the event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will include cultural programs alongside the fair. The organizers expect the event to be held in a peaceful and orderly environment.

The council stated that the symbolic fair aims to uphold the spirit of the Language Movement, literature, and free thought. It is intended as a tribute to the identity and cultural heritage of Ekushey, emphasizing the importance of organizing the Amar Ekushey Book Fair to foster a knowledgeable and thoughtful society. The organizers have invited writers, publishers, readers, students, and cultural activists from all walks of life to participate.

The event continues the historical and traditional legacy associated with the Bangla Academy and the observance of Ekushey February, reflecting a collective effort to honor linguistic and cultural values.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh has decided to reduce stall rent for the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 by 25 percent following requests from participating publishers. Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki issued the directive, and the decision was announced in a ministry press release on Monday. The fair is scheduled to begin on February 20, 2026.

According to the statement, the decision came after a productive meeting between the cultural affairs adviser, the ministry’s secretary, and the director general of Bangla Academy. The Bangla Academy will implement the rent reduction promptly. The ministry expressed optimism that this initiative will help the fair continue as a gathering place for writers, readers, and publishers, while also encouraging book publishing and reading.

Professor Md. Azam, director general of Bangla Academy and convener of the fair’s implementation committee, said that the Bangladesh Publishers and Booksellers Association had requested to postpone the fair, but the timing could not be changed due to possible rain and other issues. Therefore, the rent reduction was approved to support publishers and sellers.