Bangladeshis celebrate the new year

Abu Dhabi Embassy of the People's Republic of Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi yesterday celebrated Bangla New Year, the 1419 Pahela Baishakh, at Bangladesh Islamia School premises in festive mood amid traditional fervour, festivity and fanfare.

The school campus, including the auditorium was decorated with colourful posters, banners, balloons to create an ambience of the festival.

The day-long programme included setting-up of food stalls by the Bangladesh Embassy, Bangladesh School and Janata Bank.

Traditional dishes from Bangladesh were prepared and served on the venue to the hundreds of people who gathered at the venue to celebrate the event.

Mohammad Nazmul Quaunine, Bangladesh Ambassador to the UAE, said Bangladeshi government has decided to celebrate the Pahela Baishakh in a befitting manner to show case Bengali culture; its traditional foods, music, arts, songs and the colourful dresses worn on the occasion.

He said the Bangladeshi community celebrates this event unitedly and also thanked the expatriate community for their all out cooperation in organising the day-long programme.

A large number of community members, their children and some members of the diplomatic community as well as other nationals attended and enjoyed the event.

Yesterday, about five thousand Bangladeshis at the venue welcomed the day upholding the rich cultural heritage of the nation through music, drama, song and poetry recitals.

M. Quamruzzaman, first secretary at the Embassy of Bangladesh, told Gulf News that the number of Bangladeshis in the UAE is approximately one million.

"We all — Muslims, Hindus, Christians and others — celebrate the Bangla New Year in mid-April or in the middle of spring of all religions," said Quamruzzaman.