Staff Reporter

The Bangladesh National Museum has recognized Shab-e-Barat as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Since October 12, 2024, the colorful celebration of Shab-e-Barat in Old Dhaka has been included in the National Inventory of the Heritage Hub of the Bangladesh National Museum. This inclusion indirectly acknowledges the nearly 1,400-year-old religious observance celebrated across the country.

The application for this inclusion was submitted by Mr. Tasruzzaman Babu, Divisional Mechanical Engineer of the Carriage & Wagon Division, Bangladesh Railway, Lalmonirhat. Last year, this railway officer gained national attention for developing the country’s first automated railway turntable, which was recently recognized by UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization).

Mr. Tasruzzaman Babu stated that he initially emailed UNESCO to highlight the global cultural significance of Shab-e-Barat. UNESCO advised him to apply through the appropriate national authorities following the prescribed process. Upon further investigation, he learned that to be recognized as an International Intangible Cultural Heritage, a tradition must first be acknowledged as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

His application was thoroughly reviewed, and on October 12, 2024, the Bangladesh National Museum officially granted this recognition to Shab-e-Barat. As a result, the total number of National Intangible Cultural Heritage elements in Bangladesh has now reached 121. Further details can be found on the Heritage Hub website at https://heritagehub.gov.bd/HeritageInfoes?heritageTypeId=1.

According to researcher Khwaja Shamsuddin Mir, Shab-e-Barat has been observed in the Indian subcontinent since the mid-13th century. Historian Professor Mohammad Ibrahim believes that Shab-e-Barat traditions in the subcontinent began in the 8th century, after Muhammad bin Qasim’s conquest of Sindh and Multan. Tasruzzaman Babu’s research suggests that an ancient mosque built by Sahabah (companions of the Prophet) in Lalmonirhat, dating back to 688-689 AD, provides evidence of Shab-e-Barat’s observance in Bangladesh from an early period. Records indicate that in 616 AD, a group of Sahabah arrived at the port of Chittagong, further reinforcing the tradition’s long-standing presence in the region. Unlike the Arab world, where Shab-e-Barat is not celebrated with grand cultural traditions, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan mark the occasion with special prayers, fasting, and communal food distribution.

Traditional celebrations in Bangladesh include various food customs. Families prepare Halwa-Roti, including dishes made from chickpeas, flour, semolina, and carrots. Some make barfi-shaped sweets, while local shops sell Mashqat Halwa. Wealthier households also cook pulao, korma, bhuna khichuri, and beef or duck meat. Mosques and shrines are decorated with red and green paper and illuminated with lights. Mosques see higher attendance for Maghrib and Isha prayers, with worshippers dressed in new clothes and applying attar (perfume). After prayers, they participate in zikr, milad, and dua ceremonies, followed by food distribution (biryani or sinni) in mosques and shrines. These religious observances continue until Fajr (dawn prayer). The Nawabs of Old Dhaka added a unique cultural dimension to Shab-e-Barat celebrations, introducing special breads like Fancy Roti and Shirmal Roti.

Shab-e-Barat has immense potential to boost Bangladesh’s religious tourism industry, generating significant foreign exchange earnings. Notably, Iftar Party has already been recognized as an International Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, with Turkey, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Iran as official claimants. Bangladesh could have been included in this list as well.

To secure UNESCO recognition for Shab-e-Barat as an International Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Bangladesh government must submit an application by March 2025. The question remains: Will the government take the necessary steps in time?