Interview with Emdad Rahman
“Is this your newspaper?”
“I came across a copy last week and was mightily impressed – keep it up.”
Gushing with the bestowment of such unexpected yet much appreciated praise, we had the pleasure of meeting the Mayor of Sylhet, Badruddin Kamran during a short UK visit. The Mayor was dressed for an evening of attending functions in a dapper suit, not in his usual garb, the iconic Kurta, Mujib coat and hat.
Mr Kamran is on a short personal visit to the United Kingdom where he has been meeting and been greeted by friends, acquaintances and relatives.
The Mayor of Sylhet is resilient. He is a fighter, surviving numerous death threats and several grenade attacks in moves to assassinate him. During a visit to northern Bangladesh in 2005, Mayor Kamran narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on his life when a live grenade failed to explode.
“It was thrown at me after I had inaugurated a local badminton tournament that evening.
“As a senior figure in the opposition Awami League, I was taken to a safe place. It was a bungled attempt to kill me. It was not meant to be for me and I thank Allah for that.
“I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t say that the incident shook me to my core. But my resolve has strengthened, and the prayers and positive thoughts and messages from my friends and family have kept me going.
“There was never any doubt that I would give in to these criminals, nor did I waver for a second. The perspective I achieved from heinous attempts on my life have strengthened my resolve and my drive to work to improve the welfare of my fellow citizens.
It seems someone high above is smiling on the Mayor. In August 2004 Mayor Kamran escaped a similar attack which killed a local opposition politician. It was the year the British High Commissioner to Dhaka, Anwar Chowdhury was injured after a grenade attack in Sylhet town.
This politician is a ponderous one, thinking deep about issues that have become an overwhelming erudite infatuation for years. Mayor Kamran feels that since his entry into politics, the Bangladeshi political climate is much better and continually improving: “Sure we have issues that need dealing with and could be better. But so could many nations. It’s a question of constantly looking to assess whilst improving.
I ask him about the vastly enterprising and cosmopolitan District of Sylhet, where he is Mayor.
“Sylhet is a beautiful and prosperous District. It is one of the most diverse in Bangladesh and I am so proud that the people have seen me fit to become their Mayor. This is indeed one of the greatest honours I will ever receive and I will work diligently to repay the trust shown in me.
“Sylhet has a lot of foreign and national interest and is fast becoming a financial hub. This is great news for Bangladesh.”
The mayor is happy with the law and order situation in Bangladesh: “We are making progress and our law enforcement is now better equipped to deal with criminals and rogue elements that disrupt the everyday lives of our citizens thus causing misery to a huge many.
“There are isolated incidents of crime, but I assure all interested parties that we take crime and crime enforcement very seriously. We will do whatever it takes to ensure a harmonious society for all.”
“Bangladesh is safe and we are working to become more attractive to your (UK born) generation of expatriates. You are educated, successful and can contribute vastly to the development of both your country of birth (UK) and homeland (Bangladesh).
Mayor Kamran is keen to tap into the promise and potential of the young British born expatriates: “During my travels, It’s been mindblowing meeting some of the Bangladeshi talent that we have, whether it be in England or the nations like the USA.
“Bangladesh is proud of its proud heritage and is proud of the success of our people all over the world. I am totally in support and would encourage expatriates of such a high calibre to invest a little of their skills to aid the development of their homeland.
“They are rightfully benefiting the countries they have been born in, and I hope that our green country can also benefit from a little contribution too.
“Indeed, the people of Bangladesh are proud of our expatriates and the huge achievements they have made in every field that they have chosen to enter and excel within.
Mayor Kamran is optimistic about the future of Bangladesh: ”We are a truly moderate country with many freedoms. We will fight injustices. We want Bangladesh to remain a country where one can access education, employment, invest and practise their religion, whilst living in total harmony with their diverse community. This is also my vision for Sylhet – a prosperous, green and united Sylhet.”
On a parting note Mayor Kamran said he was amazed with the participation of Bangladeshis in UK politics: “It is necessary for us to become involved in politics as it will afford each community a platform and voice to represent themselves and lobby for their democratic rights.
“I’m very happy to see a Bangladeshi British MP in the UK. This will surely encourage other Bangladeshi women to come forward in the political field.”
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| Sylhet Mayor Badruddin Kamran with Emdad Rahman, London Bangla Editor Executive Editor and Iqbal Alam Khan |
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