BANGLADESH, March 15, 2007 — It took great determination for the Bangladesh Bible Society to obtain a stall at this year’s bookfair at the Bangla Academy in Dhaka. The Society’s efforts reaped great rewards, however. “Many thousands of people visited our stall every day,” reports Executive Secretary the Rev James Halder.
Photos: Bangladesh Bible Society
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The Bangla Academy’s Amar Ekushey Boi Mela bookfair, which ran for three weeks from February 1, has been held every year since 1972 to mark International Mother Language Day. Its aim is to promote the Bangla (Bengali) language and its literary output, a cause which stirs strong feelings among many Bengalis. It is the country’s largest bookfair and this year consisted of 400 stalls set up by more than 200 publishers and organisations. Thousands of people flocked to the Bangla Academy’s small campus for this important literary and cultural event, often queuing for several hours to enter and enjoy the stalls and the many other colourful attractions.
It is always a struggle for the Bible Society to obtain a stall at this event, and this year it did not receive permission until the very last moment. Nevertheless, it was able to respond to the challenge and make available large quantities of Scriptures. Many people purchased items, while others were handed small booklets free of charge.
“We always have good sales at this event,” says Mr Halder. “Please pray for those who now have the chance to read the Scriptures.”
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