Bangladesh: Resistance, Arts and Legacy

Celebrating 50 years of Bangladesh! Join us as we celebrate 50 years of Bangladesh with an exciting guest panel. With Dr Fatima Rajina and author Shahnaz Ahsan, we'll be digging deep into the resistance movements during the formation of Bangladesh, and the legacy and impact of the 1971 Independence War on women, as well as exploring current topics such as the Save Brick Lane movement, and the rising persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. This conversation will be chaired by academic & documentary producer, Renasha Khan. Speakers: Dr. Fatima Rajina: Dr. Fatima Rajina is a Legacy in Action Research Fellow at the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre at De Montfort University. Her PhD looked at British Bangladeshi Muslims and their changing identifications and perceptions of dress and language. In addition to having been a Teaching Fellow at SOAS, Research Fellow at UCL IoE, and a Lecturer in Sociology, she is also one of the founding members of Nijjor Manush, a social media platform focused on activism in the Bangladeshi diaspora. Shahnaz Ahsan: S​​hahnaz Ahsan is an author and commentator. Her debut novel, Hashim & Family (April 2020, John Murray Press) was named an Observer Best Book of 2020, was longlisted for the Authors’ Club First Novel Prize, and shortlisted for the Guardian Not the Booker Prize. She is also an award-winning writer of short stories and has written a screenplay set in her hometown of Keighley. Her articles have appeared in Observer Food Monthly, The Daily Telegraph, and various online magazines. ----- This event is held in partnership with An Indian Summer Festival.