US Ambassador Calls on Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury

AFCP Invests Over $1 Million Heritage Preservation Including Musa Khan Mosque

Dhaka :

 The Ambassador of the United States of America to Bangladesh, Brent T. Christensen, called on the Minister for Cultural Affairs, Nitai Roy Chowdhury, at his office at Bangladesh Secretariat today morning. The meeting was held in a highly cordial, warm, and productive atmosphere.

 During the meeting, both dignitaries discussed a wide range of issues aimed at strengthening the long-standing friendly people-to-people ties, educational exchanges, arts, literature, and the vibrant shared values between Bangladesh and the United States. A key highlight of the dialogue was the contribution of the US Embassy’s flagship initiative, the 'Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation' (AFCP). Ambassador Christensen highlighted the latest grant of $2 lac 35 thausend under the AFCP. With this latest funding, the total US investment in cultural preservation in Bangladesh has surpassed $1 million, supporting 13 major projects over the last 25 years.

 Among the prominent AFCP-funded projects, the ongoing restoration of the Mughal-era Musa Khan Mosque at Dhaka University was highly lauded. This project aims to restore the mosque's authentic Islamic architectural features, create a digital archive, and provide practical conservation training to young architects. Other notable projects include the restoration of the 17th-century Shakhari Bazaar in Old Dhaka, preservation of structural segments at Lalbagh Fort, and modernizing the Varendra Research Museum. The fund has also supported the documentation of Bangladesh’s intangible cultural heritage, such as Baul songs, Jamdani weaving, and ancient metal casting techniques.

 The Ministry of Cultural Affairs highlighted the prospect of the holistic development of the historic Panam City in Sonargaon. Extensive discussions were also held on the feasibility of organizing a joint 'US-Bangladesh Cultural Festival', collaborative show of events, and structured Cultural Artist Exchange programs. Regarding the draft of the Bilateral Cultural Cooperation Agreement forwarded by Bangladesh, the US Ambassador noted that it is currently undergoing necessary administrative and legal procedures, and the US side is keen to expedite it once official clearance is obtained.

  Sharing the US 'Library of Congress' extensively archives world literature, the Ambassador said that they are highly interested in collecting and preserving the literary masterpieces of Bangladesh’s National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

 Senior officials of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Mission were also present during the meeting.

-ত.বি.