Two Bangladeshi projects, the Bait Ur Rouf Mosque in Dhaka and the Friendship Centre in Gaibandha, received recognition for excellence in architecture, in a ceremony held at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center, Dhaka on March 08th and 09th, 2017
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), in collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, paid tribute to architect Ms. Marina Tabassum of the Bait Ur Rouf Mosque and Mr. Kashef Chowdhury of the Friendship Centre, both winners of the 2016 Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
Constructed from locally derived materials, the Bait Ur Rouf Mosque is an attempt at creating a language of architecture that represents a contemporary expression of the Sultanate period. It was completed in 2012 in a neighborhood of Dhaka that is, increasingly, becoming dense. The Mosque is a perfect square that sits on a high plinth, which prevents floodwater from entering the structure, allows people to sit and talk, and creates a separation between the sacred site and the busy street.
H.E. Mr. Noor Asaduzzaman, MP, the Honorable Minister of Cultural Affairs as the Chief Guest, and Mr. Farrokh Derakhshani, Director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, presented the Award Certificates on both events to the architects of the winning projects.
In his remarks, H.E. Mr. Noor Asaduzzaman commented on how architects Tabassum and Chowdhury had won the International Award, out of 348 other nominated projects from over sixty countries. “It was a great moment for us to hear the name of Bangladesh twice in only six (6) names,” he said expressing that it was a great honor to the country and people of Bangladesh.
When recognizing The Bait Ur Rouf Mosque on 8 March 2017, H.E. Dr. Dipu Moni, Honorable Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a Special Guest at the event, also remarked on the occasion of the International Women’s Day: “Every day is a women’s day and on this day I pay tribute to all women. Many thanks to the AKDN for awarding and recognizing these great achievements.”
Also in attendance at the event were, H.E. Mr. Benoit-Pierre Laramee, High Commissioner for Canada, H.E. Most Reverend George Kocherry Ambassador of the Holy See, H.E. Dr. Abbas Vaezi Dehnavi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, H.E. Rafiuzamaan Siddique, High Commissioner of Pakistan, H.E. Vincent Bandillo, Ambassador of Philippines, and H.E. Ms. Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, Ambassador of the United States of America.
The guests were entertained with performances by the students of Aga Khan School, Dhaka and Nur e Quran Hafizia Madrasa and, a special performance by Ms. Rachel Priyanka Perries of University of Dhaka.
Speaking at the ceremony on 9 March 2017 in honour of the Friendship Centre, the Honourable State Minister H.E. Mr. Nasrul Hamid, MP remarked that Bangladesh had reached international standards in architecture and design and now this is recognised internationally: He said, “It is wonderful to see that we have great Architects in Bangladesh”.
Attending the ceremony were H.E. Mr. Ma Mingqiang, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, H.E. Mr. Mario Palma, Ambassador of Italy, H.E. Ms. Panpimon Suwannapongse, Ambassador of Thailand, and, Charge ’de Affairs of Libya, H.E. Mahmoud Sallabi.
Participants were treated to a short music concert by the renowned Sarod artist, Mrs. Rajrupa Chowdhury.
In addition to other features, The Friendship Center in Gaibandha was established to train the staff who are working with the people inhabiting nearby chars (riverine islands) and helping to improve their quality of lives. The local hand-made brick construction has been inspired by the monastic aesthetic of the 3rd century BC ruins of Mahasthangahr, the earliest urban archaeological site yet found in Bangladesh.
