Charity Bazaar brings Bangladeshis together

Abu Dhabi: When she was hospitalised, her children were not left alone at home, thanks to the support extended by her friends. "My children were small, but the friends from Bangladeshi Ladies Association (BLA) took care of them by providing food and everything, and visited me at the hospital regularly", Ayesha Aziz, a Bangladeshi woman working as a receptionist, said on Friday.

Ayesha who has been living in Abu Dhabi for past 30 years, spoke to Gulf News at a charity bazaar organised jointly by Bangladeshi Embassy and BLA at the residence of Bangladeshi Ambassador.

Touhida Rahman Khan, a homemaker said when her mother died back home, she was too upset to take care of her children, but the friends from BLA supported her family.

"Their support helped me to overcome the difficult time", said Khan who also reached Abu Dhabi 30 years ago.

The proceeds of the bazaar (market) will be used to fund charitable activities in the UAE and Bangladesh, Syeda Mustari Quanine, the president of BLA and wife of the Bangladeshi Ambassador said. "The association has provided help to the victims of natural calamities back home several times," she said.

The bazaar is a mini-Bangladesh showcasing its readymade garments, handicrafts, leather items, jewellery and traditional food, Quanine said.

The embassy contributed some of the items for the bazaar, Mohammad Nazmul Quanine, Bangladeshi ambassador.

BLA members prepared the traditional food items at their homes', Popi Rahman, general secretary of the association said.

Major attraction

A traditional saree (a woman's garment) called ‘jamdani' was a major attraction to even other communities, she said.

Paintings of the some of the famous Bangladeshi artists such as Harshed Khan, Khayoom Chaudhari and Shahabuddin were displayed at the bazaar.

Hand-woven garments and mobile phone pouches, and bangles made of thread also attracted the visitors, Shekeela Willis, a BLA member said. The women utilised the opportunity for henna. (Decorating palms or hands with a reddish-orange dyestuff prepared from the dried and ground leaves of a plant).

The association regularly conducts monthly gatherings, picnics, Bangladesh new year celebrations, children's cultural programmers, said Popi Rahman.

"The annual dinner and cultural night which was organised two weeks ago attracted the entire community", she said.