Published: 12:05 AM, 20 April 2026 Last Update: 12:05 AM, 20 April 2026
A Quest for Affiliating Bengal With Persia By Lingual and Literary Virtues
Professor Dr. Harun Ur Rashid Askari, Mohammad Abdul Hye and journalists from The Asian Age Mahfuz Ul Hasib Chowdhury and Emran Emon pose for a photograph with copies of “Bonge Farsi Bhasha O Shahitto Chorchar Itihash” in their hands. -AA
A special ceremony was held on 15 April 2026 in the Arts Faculty of University of Dhaka in which a substantial book on the legacy of Persian language and literature in the creative and philosophical domains of Bengal was unwrapped in presence of noted academic scholars, authors, media professionals, students and translators. Former Vice Chancellor of Islamic University Bangladesh and ex Director General of Bangla Academy Professor Dr. Harun Ur Rashid Askari inaugurated the program. The title of the book is “Bonge Farsi Bhasha O Shahitto Chorchar Itihash” authored by esteemed intellectual and historian Mohammad Abdul Hye. In English translation the book can be titled “The History of Practicing Persian Language and Literature in Bengal”.
The book launching event was also attended by some learned faculty members of Dhaka University, Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) and Chittagong University who teach Persian and other foreign languages in their respective workplaces. Journalists Mahfuz Ul Hasib Chowdhury and Emran Emon from daily English newspaper The Asian Age participated in the program too. Views about the book at the outset of the text from Dr. Mumit Al Rashid, Chairman of Department of Persian Language and Literature, Dhaka University and a flowery evaluation from Dr. M. Mansoor Alam, Professor of Persian Language and Literature , Calcutta University have made the book all the more engrossing and enables it to command attention from inquisitive readers .
Author of the book Mohammad Abdul Hye added a sizeable preface to the book in which he described the links and kinship between Persian and Bengali languages and to what extent Persian language and literature influenced the thinking streams, theological concepts and prose and poetry that flourished in Bengal from medieval ages till the existing era. Evocative allusions have been made by Mohammad Abdul Hye to classical Persian poets Omar Khayyam, Sheikh Saadi, Hafiz Shirazi and Firdausi. Certain extracts from their imperishable verses have been cited too. Mohammad Abdul Hye informs the readers that a few lines from Persian poet Sheikh Saadi are inscribed in the United Nations Headquarters which are as follows “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”
Mohammad Abdul Hye has shown in his preface the evolution or the gradual advancement of Persian language and classified the language in a number of categories featuring their principal characteristics. Dr. M. Mansoor Alam aptly wrote in his message “Men of letters in Iran and Bangladesh have contributed immensely by their untiring and consistent efforts for strengthening cultural understanding between the people and have played an important role in upholding the torch of knowledge and extension of each other’s culture”. Dr. M. Mansoor Alam has also termed Mohammad Abdul Hye as an eminent scholar in the field of Islamic Studies and a writer of research articles and valuable international seminar papers. Mohammad Abdul Hye’s profile is decorated with the applause and fame he has acquired by writing many more books on history, linguistic turfs, comparative theological studies, different social dimensions etcetera.
“Bonge Farsi Bhasha O Shahitto Chorchar Itihash” contains 592 pages and it was published by Academia Publishing House Limited (APL). APL Director General Professor Dr. M. Abdul Aziz addressed the book launching program. Among other speakers, Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Sarker, Acting Dean, Arts Faculty, Dhaka University, Professor. Dr. Md. Nurey Alam, Department of Persian Language and Literature, University of Chittagong, Dr. Muhammad Isa Shahedi, Director, Baitush Sharf Islamic Research Center, Dhaka and another few dignitaries spoke on the occasion.
A full-fledged review on the book “Bonge Farsi Bhasha O Shahitto Chorchar Itihash” will appear soon. The Asian Age extends wholehearted compliments and best wishes for Mohammad Abdul Hye so that he can contribute more in the expansion of literary scholarhood and dissemination of historical knowledge in Bangladesh and beyond.
Mahfuz Ul Hasib Chowdhury
is a contributor to different
English newspapers
and magazines.
