This is my second Ramadan in Bangladesh; I always find this a time of great energy; a time of reflection; a time to get together with family and friends; and time to remember those who do not get to break their fast every day. From the streets of London to the markets of Sylhet people are celebrating the spirit of this holy month together. Many of you in this room will have family and friends in the UK who are fasting during the long warm days of the British summer. You and your links to the UK are what make our relationship between Bangladesh and the UK extraordinary and unique,” said Mark Clayton, British Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran according to Islamic belief. Iftar is the evening meal taken when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. Muslims break their fast at the time of the call to prayer for the evening prayer. The month of Ramadan is unlike other eleven months of the year in Bangladesh. People observe this month with the spirit of sharing, giving, enduring and being compassionate. In keeping with the spirit of caring and sharing during the month of Ramadan, the British Council hosted two iftar parties, one in Sylhet and the other in Chittagong.
Stakeholders and partners from Chittagong were invited at the iftar party that was hosted in the city of Chittagong on 19 June 2016. Barbara Wickham, Director Bangladesh as well as staff from the British Council were present. It was a wonderful event with 60 people who are connected to the British Council’s different Strategic Business Units (SBUs). It was great seeing them interact with each other, coming up with suggestions for prospective collaboration, and stressing on more and more engagement with the British Council in future. Barbara Wickham addressed the guests saying that the British Council has the same spirit of sharing knowledge and connecting people across the globe.
On 26 June, the British Council and British High Commission jointly hosted an iftar reception in the city of Sylhet for local community members and representatives from the Government of Bangladesh, business groups, media networks, and civil society. At the reception, Mark Clayton, British Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh highlighted the diversity and strength of British interests in Sylhet including the business and development ties; consular services; and the great education offer delivered by the British Council. He also spoke about the deep and historic people to people connections that exist between the region of Sylhet and the UK.
Mark Clayton said, “This is my second Ramadan in Bangladesh; I always find this a time of great energy; a time of reflection; a time to get together with family and friends; and time to remember those who do not get to break their fast every day. From the streets of London to the markets of Sylhet people are celebrating the spirit of this holy month together. Many of you in this room will have family and friends in the UK who are fasting during the long warm days of the British summer. You and your links to the UK are what make our relationship between Bangladesh and the UK extraordinary and unique.”
The partners and stakeholders who attended Chittagong and Sylhet iftar appreciated the events very much. It will surely have a positive impact on the future work of the British Council with all of them.