Celebration, heritage protection and peacebuilding

Religious harmony is key to building societal peace. Photo: Collected

The current student generation of Bangladesh, often referred to as Generation Z (Gen Z) or Zoomers— made history by leading a month-long movement for quota reform (anti-discrimination movement), which ultimately culminated in the fall of the government on 5 August, 2024. In the wake of this pivotal event, people celebrated the victory that was achieved through the sacrifices of hundreds of lives, blood, sweat and the relentless efforts of students, vendors, labourers, rickshaw pullers, political supporters, and everyday citizens.

Now, 5 August, 2024 has become another milestone in the political history and culture of Bangladesh. The future generation will carry the legacy of this historical movement, alongside other significant milestones in Bangladesh's history, such as the 1952 Language Movement, the 1962 Education Movement, the 1969 Mass Upsurge, the 1971 Liberation War, and the Anti-autocracy Movement of the 1990. These events collectively shape the nation's identity and continue to inspire the pursuit of justice, freedom, and cultural preservation.

Protecting our cultural heritage

In the midst of celebrating victory, Bangladesh has also faced widespread violence, with cultural and archaeological sites being targeted in acts of ransacking and vandalism. Memory museums, statues, murals, national symbols and cultural hubs have been destroyed.

Notably, more than 3,000 musical instruments were looted from the home of Joler Gaan front-man Rahul Anand, which was then set on fire, reported a national English daily.

However, these attacks are not believed to be the actions of the students who celebrated the victory. In fact, many students were seen attempting to repair the damaged sites and recover looted artefacts. Students are generally very aware of the national cultural, political, and historical significance of these items.

Some argue that these acts of vandalism are expressions of anger and resentment that have built up during the 15-year authoritarian rule of the Awami League. Others believe that these attacks are the work of miscreants and hooligans, rather than politically motivated actions. There are also comparisons being drawn between the situation in Bangladesh and similar occurrences in other regions like Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Palestine, Libya, Mali, and India, where cultural sites have been targeted during times of conflict.

Bangladesh's cultural and religious heritage, developed over the past 5,000 years, is a tapestry woven by diverse political and religious influences. This rich heritage is deeply intertwined with the nation's history, identity, language, religion, beliefs, and emotions, forming a core part of the country's Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).

Religious and ethnic diversity, long celebrated, has been crucial for peace-building efforts. However, rising tensions among religious, ethnic, and political groups have led to increased aggression towards cultural properties. This aggression targets not only physical sites but also individuals who represent differing ideologies, cultures, and beliefs.

The UNESCO Convention of 2003 emphasises the role of ICH in fostering peace by bringing together people of different cultures, faiths, and ethnicities and creating an environment of mutual understanding, respect, and sharing.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG Goal 16) focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, emphasising the inclusion of all individuals and groups in development and peace-building. Promoting various ICH elements, especially from minority groups, and sharing them across society is essential for achieving this inclusiveness.

Heritage and peacebuilding: A path forward

To anthropologists, peace-building means creating an inclusive society where cultural diversity can thrive by addressing the root causes of conflict and violence. Empathy for culture is essential for promoting, protecting, and safeguarding ICH, as attacks on these heritages can have grave consequences and be challenging to heal.

Peace-building aims to establish durable peace and prevent the recurrence of violence by addressing conflict's root causes and effects. Reconciliation, institution building, and political and economic transformation are key dimensions of peace-building.

The UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001) emphasises that cultural diversity requires a commitment to human rights, especially for disadvantaged or marginalised groups, including minorities. This includes ensuring free access to cultural expression and participation in societal cultural life. Promoting cultural diversity, tolerance, and dialogue is seen as essential for achieving peace and security. Therefore, preserving, enhancing, and passing on heritage to future generations is crucial as it reflects human experience and aspirations, fostering creativity and inspiring meaningful dialogue among cultures for peace-building.

Religion is central to every intangible and living culture. Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) involves protecting cultural properties, artefacts, beliefs, rituals, and practices associated with various religions. As a fundamental element of ICH, religion has historically played a vital role in building societal peace.

However, recent inter-faith and intra-faith conflicts have led to considerable political and social unrest in the country, causing loss of lives and destruction of cultural heritage. For decades, political agendas have intertwined with religious ideology, with political parties leveraging religious issues and groups for their own ends.

A hopeful future: Youth leading the way

It is hopeful, however, that the younger generations are increasingly conscious of safeguarding their culture and heritage. They are committed to creating a non-communal society and promoting, preserving, and protecting cultural heritage.

Reinforcing dialogue with religious communities and fostering mutual understanding and collaboration are essential for protecting our heritage. To promote peace and religious harmony in society, the following measures should be taken immediately:

1. Multi-level initiatives: Raise awareness among religious, ethnic, cultural groups, and political parties to reduce threats of iconoclasm and destruction of cultural properties.

2. Preventive measures: Identify ways to prevent risks associated with inter-religious or intra-religious tensions.

3. Participatory management: Develop a heritage property management strategy through interfaith dialogues and share religious knowledge and insights.

4. Collaborative efforts: Work together to address the challenges of managing all the properties of tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Bangladesh that display the beauty of our ethnic, religious and political ideological diversities.

Dr Saifur Rashid. Sketch: TBS

Dr Saifur Rashid is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Dhaka and Person-in-Charge, the ICH Video Documentation Project 2023-2025, ICHCAP (under the Auspices of UNESCO), South Korea.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard