The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh on Monday organised a daylong programme celebrating ‘Sultana’s Dream’, a famous sci-fi utopian novel rejoicing feminism by ¸é´Ç°ì±ð²â²¹Ìý³§²¹°ì³ó²¹·É²¹³ÙÌý±á´Ç²õ²õ²¹¾±²Ô, one of the earliest pioneers of Muslim women’s rights in the Indian subcontinent.
Titled ‘Sultana’s Dream: a journey through vision and collaboration’ and organised by the university’s Department of General Education and the ULAB 1971 History Club, the event took place on the institution’s campus in Mohammadpur
The programme featured a photo exhibition, discussion and a quiz competition based on the novel that appeared 120 years ago in 1905 in Madras-based English periodical ‘The Indian Ladies Magazine’.
The Liberation War Museum’s founder-trustee Mofidul Hoque presided over the discussion, while the head of the Department of General Education Professor Shahnaj Husne Jahan gave the welcome speech.
Shahnaj Husne Jahan in her speech focused on how the novel was still relevant to today’s society of Bangladesh, even though over a century had passed.
Mofidul Hoque said that ‘Sultana’s Dream’ was not merely some wishful thinking, but it was wilful thinking of Begum Rokeya.
‘Her science fiction feminist utopian realm that she named Ladyland does still apply to today’s life. It spoke about women empowerment, education and also social and religious tolerance in that land that embraced only love and truth as religion,’ Mofidul Hoque said.
He also told the audience that Rokeya established Sakhawat Memorial Girls’ High School the alumnae of which made an impact in society.Â
Mofidul Hoque also inaugurated the photo exhibition and distributed awards among the winners of a quiz competition arranged for the students of the ‘History of the emergence of independent Bangladesh course’.
The photo exhibition by the ULAB 1971 History Club showcased Bangladeshi women professionals in various fields. The exhibition also presented the essence of Sultana’s Dream in 17 placards the content of which was connected to the themes of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Fatima Ishrat Noha, Sajia Afrin Pranti and Mohammed Shariar Rahman were the winners of the quiz competition.
Earlier in 2024, the UNESCO’s Memory of the World regional register inscribed ‘Sultana’s Dream’ in recognition of human innovation and imagination.
