Mosque today
Photography – Architecture – History
04-18.January2010 – Sun – Thur. 10.00-19.00
Inauguration on Monday 04.01.20010 at 17.00

PHOTO EXHIBITION: Mosques in Germany by Wilfried Dechau, Stuttgart/Germany

Approximately 3.5 million Muslims are currently living in Germany and since the 70s almost 2600 Islamic sacral buildings have been created all over the country. German mosques today are symbolizing a decades-long history of immigration but also it’s omissions. They demonstrate the presence and self-confidence of Muslim immigrants in Germany: We are building because we want to stay! This unsettles the way the majority of Germans sees itself and the way it is seen by the Islamic minority, stimulation debate on the position of Muslims within Germany society and the importance accorded them by the majority. The Stuttgart based photographer Wilfried Dechau has travelled through Germany, not only to take pictures of mosques buildings and their interior architecture but also of their socio-political context

PHOTO EXHIBITION: Contemporary Mosques of Bangladesh by Hasan Saifuddin Chandan/Bangladesh

The most famous mosques of Dhaka are the ones from the Mughal and pre-Mughal period but who takes attention on the beautiful new sacral buildings influenced by the architecture of the 50s, 60s and later modern architectural trends. Renowned photographer Hasan Saifuddin Chandan not only captured the structure and interior design of these buildings in his photographic lenses but also the different spheres of life which is linked with mosques today.

PHOTO DOCUMENTATION: Historical Mosques of Bangladesh by Babu Ahmed/Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a rich heritage of Mosque architecture. Erection of Mosque started in Bengal just after the arrival of the Muslims in 1204 CE .The Historical Mosques of Bangladesh could be divided in three major part, on the basis of their architectural style. They are – 1.Mosques of Sultani Period (1204 CE-1576 CE) 2. Mosques of Mughal Period (1576 CE – 1757 CE) 3. Mosques of Colonial Period (1757 CE- 1947 CE). The TRADITIONAL PHOTO GALLERY (TPG) gathered examples of each style in this exhibition. Most of these monuments are nowadays in a quite poor and neglected condition and need urgently preservation and restoration. Babu Ahmed founder of the TRADITIONAL PHOTO GALLERY (TPG) aims to uphold and present these mosques to the world through his photo documentation on historical mosques of Dhaka

VIRTUAL PHOTO EXHIBITION: Architecture and mosques in Bangladesh by Saif Ul Haque/Bangladesh

This will be a digital presentation of few selected contemporary mosques in Bangladesh designed by architects. Prominent architect Saif Ul Haque will present the different aspects of mosques from his architectural perspective which will contain plans, designs, photographs and more information on mosques in the context of planning and realization. Digital presentation will run Sun-Thur 10.00-19.00.

Bangladesh: The Bradt Travel Guide Book Launch party, 1 Oct, Dhaka, click poster to see full size

After many months of research, photography, writing and editing, Bangladesh: The Bradt Travel Guide is finally ready to be released! Books are now on their way to Dhaka for a big launch bash, held on 1 Oct at the Australian High Commission Recreation Centre, otherwise known as the Aussie club.

We hope you can join us for this special launch event, which will also double as the normal Aussie BBQ and fundraising evening. Authors Mikey Leung and Belinda Meggitt will both be present at the event: this is your chance to meet the authors and take home a signed copy of the new guide.

We are also raising funds for our friends at Jaago, who operate a school for disadvantaged children in Dhaka and also run a hospitality training course for young adults.

Finally, we are much indebted to the Australian High Commission for allowing us to host this event using their facility.

Details
The event is open to all expat club card holders and members of the general public.

Non-club card holders MUST e-mail the Australian High Commission to register their attendance in advance at ahc.dhaka [at] dfat.gov.au.

Costs
BBQ: Tk900 (you don’t have to eat to attend); Children Tk400; Tk100 will be donated to JAAGO from adult cost.
Book Cost: Tk1,800

Questions?
mobile: 01711 591 211 // 01918 931 803
e-mail: joybangla.info [at] gmail.com

Groove Therapy is Dhaka’s latest sensation in jazzy entertainment—the group has been playing clubs and restaurants for the last several months. We at Joybangla haven’t had a chance to catch a show yet, but this might be a good time to enjoy Le Saigon’s fab food, and catch some great music at the same time. Price includes the show, starters, soft drinks and a buffet dinner. Details as follows:

Le Saigon presents: “A Night of Blues and Jazz” featuring Groove Therapy
Friday, 26th September, 2008 at 9 pm
Le Saigon, 54 Gulshan Avenue , Gulshan 2, Dhaka
Tel: 9892122/8820523
PRICE : Tk1100/person incl. taxes
INCLUDES : Show, starters, buffet dinner and all soft drinks & ice

Contact Shammu on 01912003001 for more details.

From Ric of Groove Therapy:

The show is a celebration of the “Rhythm & Blues” from Chicago to St. Louis, from the French Quarter to the Deep South, Groove therapy pulls your heart strings while you shed tears over lost love onto your beers to stomping your feet to “Blues Boogie” Boom, boom, boom , boom, gonna shoot you right down, take you home with me , take you to ma hou , ahaa ahaa ahaa ahaa….,.

Groove Therapy is:

• Ric Wasserman on guitar and vocals
• Hilary syme on harmonica and vocals
• Nam Nai on bass
• Peter Lawson on drums