Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s Central International Secretary Sadiq Kayem is set to get married on May 13. His bride-to-be, Anika Forayezi, is an MBBS doctor from Porikot village in Gunabati Union, Chauddagram, Comilla. The marriage ceremony (akd) will take place at Dhaka University’s Central Mosque, confirmed her father Ayub Ali Forayezi, who is the Vice Chairman of Reliance Group and Chairman of Probashi Bangla Properties Limited.

The akd will be attended by DUCSU leaders and students, and a main reception is planned later at a convention center in Dhaka. The news of the DUCSU VP’s marriage has already drawn wide attention on social media, particularly after a wedding card image circulated online.

Comilla City Chhatra Shibir President Hasan Ahmed expressed joy over the marriage, calling it a proud moment for Comilla residents. Chauddagram Upazila Jamaat Amir Muhammad Mahfuzur Rahman said the guest list for the Dhaka reception will be finalized soon.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Rabindranath Tagore was not only a poet but also a philosopher. He made the remarks on Friday at Patishar in Naogaon while addressing a program marking the 165th birth anniversary of the world poet. Fakhrul described Tagore as a creative personality whose works span all branches of literature and said that those who label him as communal lack understanding.

He highlighted that Tagore had initiated agricultural bank activities in Patishar to improve the lives of farmers and introduced modern agricultural concepts. Fakhrul added that the current government continues to work for the development of agriculture and farmers in line with Tagore’s vision. The event was organized by the Naogaon district administration with support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and chaired by Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr. A N M Bazlur Rashid.

The program included speeches from several ministers and cultural performances by artists from local Shilpakala Academies. The Patishar area took on a festive atmosphere as visitors and Rabindra enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the poet’s birth anniversary.

Bangladesh Khelafat Chhatra Majlis is organizing a documentary and document-based exhibition centered on the events of May 5, 2013, at Shapla Chattar. The exhibition will be held for the first time on May 5 and 6 at the Nalini Kanta Bhattasali Exhibition Gallery of the Bangladesh National Museum in Dhaka. It will feature photographs, eyewitness accounts, official documents, news reports, and memorials of those who lost their lives. The program will also include a documentary screening and a short discussion session.

According to the organizers, the exhibition will be inaugurated at 3 p.m. on May 5 by Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Haque, Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis. Other attendees will include Member of Parliament Mufti Mohammadullah, NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, NCP chief coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari, and Inqilab Monch member secretary Abdullah Jaber. Families of victims and injured individuals are also expected to attend the opening ceremony.

The event marks the first organized effort by the group to publicly present documentary evidence and testimonies related to the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident.

Renowned Bangladeshi poet and freedom fighter Al Mujahidi has been undergoing treatment for several days at United Hospital in Dhaka due to serious illness. On Sunday evening, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Porwar visited him at the hospital to inquire about his health condition.

During the visit, Porwar was accompanied by Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand, head of Jamaat’s literature and culture department, and Dr. Monowarul Islam, secretary of the Deshiyo Sangskritik Sangshad, along with other cultural figures. He spoke with the attending doctors to learn about the poet’s treatment progress and prayed for his quick recovery, long life, and good health. Porwar praised Al Mujahidi’s contributions to the nation’s literary field and urged the government to arrange advanced medical care abroad for the poet.

He also met with members of the poet’s family, offering words of comfort and advising them to remain patient and hopeful. Before leaving, he requested everyone to pray for Al Mujahidi’s recovery.

Bangladesh Khelafat Chhatra Majlis has announced that it will organize the first-ever exhibition based on the events of May 5, 2013, at Shapla Chattar. The exhibition, titled 'Shapla Massacre', will take place on May 5 and 6 at the Nalinikanta Bhattasali Exhibition Gallery of the Bangladesh National Museum in Dhaka. It will feature photographs, eyewitness accounts, official documents, news reports, and tributes to those who lost their lives.

The event will also include a documentary screening and a brief discussion session. The exhibition will be inaugurated at 3 p.m. on May 5 by Maulana Muhammad Mamunul Haque, Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis. Family members of the deceased and injured individuals are expected to attend the opening ceremony.

According to the organizers, the exhibition aims to document and present the historical events surrounding the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident through verified materials and testimonies.

The Chandamari Mosque, located in Chandamari Mondolpara village of Rajarhat upazila in Kurigram, is a more than 400-year-old architectural and cultural landmark. Built with lime, brick, and surki, the mosque features three large domes, four corner minarets, and intricate designs that reflect a blend of Sultanate and Mughal styles. Despite changes in the surrounding environment, the mosque remains a central part of local religious and social life, drawing worshippers especially during Friday prayers and Ramadan.

Historical accounts suggest the mosque was constructed between 1584 and 1680, though no inscription confirms the exact date. Locals compare its design to the Babri Mosque in India and the Sixty Dome Mosque in Bagerhat, noting its unique craftsmanship and durability. Elderly residents recall generations of worshippers attending prayers there, and stories persist about the mosque’s enduring structure built without iron rods.

Local heritage advocates emphasize the need for preservation, as parts of the plaster have begun to deteriorate. They believe proper conservation could secure the mosque’s place as one of Kurigram’s most significant historical monuments for future generations.

Bangladesh observed World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2026, under the theme “Shaping a Peaceful Future: Freedom of the Press for Human Rights, Development, and Security.” The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting organized a rally and discussion session in Dhaka to mark the occasion. The rally began at 9 a.m. from the Officers’ Club premises and concluded at the Information Building Complex. A discussion followed at the Department of Films and Publications conference hall, focusing on the role of a free and responsible press in fostering a culture of accountability.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon attended the event as the chief guest. Professor Dr. S. M. Shamim Reza of Dhaka University presented a paper, while several prominent media figures, including the Bangladesh Press Council chairman and editors from leading newspapers and television channels, participated as discussants.

World Press Freedom Day was first recognized by the United Nations in 1993 following a UNESCO recommendation. The day reaffirms commitments to press freedom, honors journalists’ sacrifices, and pledges to resist interference in media independence.

Bangladesh has launched its first-ever Migration Film Fest to showcase real-life stories related to migration. The organizers have invited short films from young filmmakers and students, with submissions open from April 1 to May 25, 2026. Films can be made using any device, including mobile phones, and may be fiction, animation, or documentary, but must focus on migration. The maximum film length is set at 15 minutes.

The festival aims to portray both the success stories of Bangladeshi migrants and the darker sides of migration, such as human trafficking, fraud by brokers, perilous sea journeys, deaths abroad, mental trauma, and family suffering. Winners will receive prizes including a Sony DSLR camera, GoPro kits, and certificates. Selected films will be screened and broadcast on television and other platforms.

Film selection will take place from May 26 to June 4, with the festival scheduled for the second week of June. Organized by BRAC Migration Program under the Australian government-supported campaign against human trafficking, the event also includes online workshops to guide participants in storytelling and technical skills.

A colorful event marking Buddha Purnima, one of the major religious festivals of the Buddhist community, was held in Merul Badda, Dhaka, organized by the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation. Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended as chief guest and delivered a message of unity, harmony, and peace. The program began with a reception honoring Independence Award-winning educationist Professor Dr. Sukomal Barua, whose contributions were remembered with respect and gratitude.

In his address, the minister emphasized that all religions promote human welfare, peace, and compassion. He urged people to avoid violence, hatred, and conflict, and to uphold human values. He also called for national unity beyond divisions to build a prosperous and self-reliant Bangladesh. State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Dipen Dewan, speaking as special guest, highlighted the importance of collective efforts by people of all faiths for the country’s progress.

Speakers expressed hope that such events would help spread messages of peace, harmony, and human welfare throughout society.

At Rajshahi University’s Bijoy-24 Hall, student leaders of the hall council organized a unique initiative on Friday afternoon by picking lychees from the hall’s trees and distributing them directly to students’ rooms. The hall’s provost, Professor Md. Jamirul Islam, was present during the activity.

According to the organizers, around five thousand lychees were collected from the hall premises and distributed equally among 135 rooms, including the PhD block, as well as among hall staff members. Each room received about 25 to 30 fresh lychees. Hall council vice president Russell Mia said the initiative continued a tradition started the previous year, aiming to share the seasonal fruit with all residents and create a festive atmosphere reminiscent of childhood memories.

Provost Professor Jamirul Islam noted that one of the hall’s lychee trees had produced an abundant harvest this year, and the distribution allowed everyone to enjoy it together. The event fostered joy and community spirit among students and staff.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury said that photography is not merely a play of light and shadow but a record of time that immortalizes history. He made the remarks on Thursday while inaugurating a photo exhibition at the National Press Club as the chief guest. The event was organized by the National Forum of Photo Journalists, Nepal (NFPJ), with support from the Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association.

During his speech, Yasser Khan became emotional, recalling his early career dream of becoming a photojournalist and his fascination with viewing life through a camera lens. He also reminisced about his visit to Nepal in the 1990s, describing the country’s natural beauty and the simplicity of its people. He emphasized that such cultural exchanges strengthen the friendship between Bangladesh and Nepal.

Speakers at the event noted the geographical and cultural similarities between the two countries and expressed hope that collaborations among photographers would deepen bilateral ties and enhance professional exchange.

The Bangladesh National Museum has dismissed recent media reports about alleged irregularities in the construction costs and recruitment process of the July Uprising Memorial Museum, calling them baseless and misleading. In a press release issued on April 30, 2026, the museum clarified that no recruitment has yet taken place for the new museum. It explained that a CCTV video circulating online showed an informal meeting with families of martyrs and injured persons, not a job interview. The museum said all future hiring will follow official government procedures under a high-level recruitment committee.

The statement also denied claims of excessive spending, stating that from April 2025 to February 2026, total hospitality expenses amounted to 3.74 million taka, not over 10 million as reported. It further clarified that the 6.4 million taka boundary wall cost was part of a larger 984.5 million taka allocation managed by the Public Works Department, not the museum itself. The museum emphasized that the project to convert the former Ganabhaban in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar into a museum was a major undertaking and that the facility is now ready for inauguration by the Prime Minister.

The museum urged media outlets to verify information before publication to avoid spreading misinformation.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator and freedom fighter Md. Abdus Salam stated that cultural practice is essential for guiding youth and maintaining a healthy, drug-free society. He made the remarks on Wednesday at the Bangladesh Shishu Academy auditorium in Dhaka during a discussion, award ceremony, and cultural program marking International Dance Day 2026.

Abdus Salam stressed that alongside education, cultural engagement is vital for both physical and social well-being. He expressed concern that excessive mobile phone use is distancing the younger generation from their roots and hindering creativity. He lamented the decline of dance, a key element of Bengali culture, and urged parents to encourage children’s participation in creative and cultural activities to prevent drug addiction.

The DSCC administrator highlighted ongoing initiatives to modernize the corporation’s cultural centers and improve training facilities in dance and music. He noted the availability of higher education opportunities in dance and called for collective efforts from government and cultural stakeholders to build a culturally conscious society.

Leaders of the Buddhist community exchanged greetings with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. The event took place on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Public Administration Conference Room of the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Religious Affairs Minister Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad, Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Dipen Dewan, State Minister Mir Helal Uddin, the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Ethnic Minority Affairs Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Member of Parliament from Bandarban Saching Prue Jerry, BNP-nominated reserved seat candidate Madhabi Marma, and Dr. Sukomal Barua were present at the event.

During the ceremony, representatives of the Buddhist community presented the Prime Minister with a commemorative crest and a replica of a Buddha statue as a token of goodwill.

An anti-corruption debate competition was held in Bhangura upazila of Pabna, focusing on the theme 'Only an accountable government system can curb and prevent corruption.' The two-day event took place at the Upazila Parishad auditorium, jointly organized by the Pabna District Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Upazila Corruption Prevention Committee. In the final round on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 24 students from eight educational institutions participated, presenting arguments for and against the motion.

Momota-Mostafa Ideal High School won the championship, while Ashtomonisha Hasina-Momen Girls High School became the runner-up. Sabrina Sultana Simu was named best speaker. The event was presided over by former principal Md. Shahiduzzaman, president of the Upazila Corruption Prevention Committee, with Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Arifuzzaman as the chief guest. Several local officials and educators attended as special guests.

According to the organizers, the competition aims to foster ethical values and anti-corruption awareness among students as part of an annual initiative to build a corruption-free society.