Rashed Ahmed paints the fiery eyes of a python on to a giant piece of white cloth in the grounds of Dhaka University, as a huge crowd of painters, actors and writers cheer the fine arts student on.
Each of those gathered then has a tilt at drawing their own symbols, leaving a personal mark indicative of the Bangladeshi cultural heritage they say hardline Muslims are determined to destroy.
"The python is the symbol of radical Islamists," says Ahmed. "It has started devouring our rich culture. Unless we can collectively stop it, the survival of our arts, sculptures, writings and dramas will be at stake."
Large groups of Bangladeshi artists — including filmmakers, singers and writers — began daily protests last month after authorities removed two newly commissioned sculptures of local folk singers erected outside Dhaka's airport.
A group of Muslim hardliners calling themselves the Anti-Statues Resistance Committee complained that the sculptures were idols, which are strictly forbidden in Islam, and threatened to attack the artwork with power tools. Read more ...
Each of those gathered then has a tilt at drawing their own symbols, leaving a personal mark indicative of the Bangladeshi cultural heritage they say hardline Muslims are determined to destroy.
"The python is the symbol of radical Islamists," says Ahmed. "It has started devouring our rich culture. Unless we can collectively stop it, the survival of our arts, sculptures, writings and dramas will be at stake."
Large groups of Bangladeshi artists — including filmmakers, singers and writers — began daily protests last month after authorities removed two newly commissioned sculptures of local folk singers erected outside Dhaka's airport.
A group of Muslim hardliners calling themselves the Anti-Statues Resistance Committee complained that the sculptures were idols, which are strictly forbidden in Islam, and threatened to attack the artwork with power tools. Read more ...
Source: AFP
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