Discussants said that the late women’s rights activist Noorjehan Murshid played a leading role in women’s awakening in the 20th century.
They made the remarks at a commemorative programme organised by Uttarsuri: Noorjehan-Sarwar Murshid Sangskritik Kendra at Kabi Shamsur Rahman Seminar Room of Bangla Academy on Wednesday marking the 99th anniversary of the birth of Noorjehan Murshid.
Researcher and Murshidabad Itihash Chorcha Kendro vice-president Hasibur Rahman delivered the keynote speech while researcher and Murshidabad Itihash Chorcha Kendro vice-president Nazrul Islam read an essay at the commemorative programme.
Hasibur Rahman said that the issue of women’s awakening in Bengal could not be understood by keeping the issue of partition out of the discussion.
The correct history of partition was yet to be written, said the researcher.
He said that the name of Begum Rokeya came to mind when discussing the awakening of women in the 20th century.
Begum Rokeya was a pioneer of the awakening of women, said Hasibur Rahman, mentioning that child marriage, religious conservatism and lack of patronisation created obstacles for Muslim women in the 20th century in Bengal.
‘Noorjehan Murshid was one of those who built the foundation of women’s awakening,’ said Hasibur Rahman.
Nazrul Islam, in his essay titled ‘Cultural Heritage and Legacy of Bengali Muslim Women in the 20th Century’, said that the patriarchal barrier was one of the main obstacles preventing Muslim women from pursuing education.
He mentioned that Islamic law was not a barrier to women’s progress, rather ignorance and lack of consciousness were the main obstacles to Muslim women’s progress, said Nazrul Islam.
Bangla Academy director general Mohammad Nurul Huda was present as chief guest at the commemorative programme, which was presided over by historian Sonia Amin.
Paying tribute to Noorjehan Murshid for playing a leading role in women’s awakening, Mohammad Nurul Huda said that research and history played an important role in the progress of civilisation.
Bangla Academy and Uttarsuri can plan to do something together to conduct research on Noorjehan Murshid, said Mohammad Nurul Huda.
Uttarsuri secretary general Sharmeen Murshid anchored the programme.
She said that Uttarsuri was working to preserve and spread the life and works of Noorjehan Murshid.
Besides, Nrityanandan artistes staged a dance recital synchronised with the song titled ‘Amar Mukti Aloy Aloy’ and Samageet sang songs at the event.
