Photo: Collected
A month-long Islamic book fair is under way on the east plaza of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque premises in the capital. Organised on the occasion of the holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi (pbuh), the fair has already become lively with the footfall of book lovers.
The crowd of readers and visitors at the fair premises starts growing from the afternoon every day. Md Shariful Islam, a salesperson at a stall in the fair, said, ‘Although visitors are somewhat fewer in the morning, buyers have been increasing since after Asr prayers. Readers are buying books of their choice, and sales are good too.’
Enthusiasm was also seen among readers who came to the fair. Dhaka University student Raihan Ahmed told BSS, ‘There is much more variety at this year’s fair. In particular, the books of foreign publishers and the Seerat Exhibition have impressed me. Such an event should be held regularly.’
Schoolteacher Nowrin Sultana had come to the fair with her child. She said, ‘Having a separate children’s corner for the kids has been very convenient. I bought nice Islamic storybooks suitable for them. I like this atmosphere of the fair.’
A visit to the spot found that discounts of 10 to 60 percent are being offered on books depending on the stall. As a result, readers are able to buy books at lower prices than in normal times.
Besides, at the Islamic Foundation’s own stall, books published by it are available at a special commission. A discount of 35 percent is being given on printed prices from Tk 1 to Tk 10,000 and 40 percent on prices above Tk 10,001. This stall of the foundation is located at the south and east gates of Baitul Mukarram.
According to the fair management committee, a total of 144 stalls have been allotted in this year’s event. In these stalls, 206 organisations, local and foreign together, have taken part. Alongside Bangladesh, books of more than a hundred publishing houses, including seven international publishers from Egypt, Lebanon, Pakistan and India, are available at the fair. The stalls have various kinds of books including the Holy Quran, hadith, seerat, Islamic literature, research, history, culture, and religious and moral educational books suitable for children and adolescents.
Discussion meetings and unveilings of new books with the participation of writers, readers and publishers are taking place at the fair every day. For the convenience of visitors, separate seating arrangements for women and a ‘children’s corner’ for children have been set up. There are also an information centre, magazine and writers’ corners, and a media corner for media workers.
One of the attractions of the fair is the ‘Seerat Exhibition’ organised by Wafa Hifz International School. Through this exhibition of 13 projects, a unique effort has been made to vividly present the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) to the new generation.
As a special addition to this year’s fair, the ‘Shapla Corner’ in memory of the 2013 Shapla Chattar incident has found a place for the first time.
Earlier, at the fair’s inaugural ceremony on 12 September, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain said this fair will play a special role in spreading Islamic knowledge and moral values among ordinary people. He said the Islamic Foundation will be freed from the political influence of the past and built up as a real centre for propagating the Holy Quran and hadith.
It may be mentioned that the fair will remain open to all until 11 October from 11am to 10pm every day and from 10am to 10pm on holidays.
