Tabassum tells us about the secular aspect of Bangladesh. She tells us how Christmas and Hanukkah were celebrated last week. An exclusive for Different Truths.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and New Season’s greeting to you all. Bangladesh has become an example of celebrating religious festivals for all religions. Christmas has been observed with joy, ceremony. Christmas celebration is not a new custom in Bangladesh. There are descendants of Portuguese Colonist in Chittagong, Bangladesh. From old times it had been celebrated in Chittagong. In recent years, it’s being celebrated with pomp and show in other parts of the country. In Dhaka, you can see even Santa Clause cheering children not only in five-star hotels but also in other places. You will find decorated Christmas Tree almost every well-known shopping malls in major cities in the country. Bangladesh has some ancient Churches in Dhaka and Chittagong. Well, not maybe as famous as St. Paul’s Church in Kolkata but the Church built during Portuguese Colonial rule, which came before the British.

Sadly, you won’t find a Synagogue here. Bangladesh and Israel have no diplomatic relations. Ironically, the famous Jewish architect Louis Kahn, designed the most important building in Bangladesh, the Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban

Sadly, you won’t find a Synagogue here. Bangladesh and Israel have no diplomatic relations. Ironically, the famous Jewish architect Louis Kahn, designed the most important building in Bangladesh, the Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban, the National Assembly building. The Jewish community is virtually nonexistent here.

 In 1971, the Bangladesh Liberation War took place. Interestingly, it was another famous Jew, Lieutenant General J F R Jacob from the Indian Army, who played a vital role in the liberation war of Bangladesh. He was born into a Baghdadi Jewish family, in Calcutta. In 2012, the Bangladesh government honoured him for his contributions to the 1971 Liberation War.

In Chittagong, there is a Second World War British and Commonwealth cemetery, the War Cemetery. There one can find many graves with the Star of David.

In Chittagong, there is a Second World War British and Commonwealth cemetery, the War Cemetery. There one can find many graves with the Star of David. They lie side by side despite religion.

The reality is Bangladesh is a developing country. There are multinational companies, NGOs, Embassies and High Commissions. There are businessmen with great business reasons to stay in Bangladesh.

There is no synagogue today in Bangladesh, although a few expatriates do meet up on the eve of the Jewish New Year and the Day of Atonement and Hanukkah privately.

Just because there is no diplomatic relationship between Israel and Bangladesh, it isn’t fair to have a synagogue, a public one.

A small humble public Synagogue in Bangladesh will be a good start undoubtedly to brighten the image of Bangladesh as a symbol of religious freedom and freedom to practice the religion freely and publicly.

All people have the equal rights to practice their religion. A small humble public Synagogue in Bangladesh will be a good start undoubtedly to brighten the image of Bangladesh as a symbol of religious freedom and freedom to practice the religion freely and publicly. I wish you all, a New Season’s Greetings.

Photos sourced by the author