Faruque Ahmed
Quick Facts
Biography
Faruque Ahmed (Bengali: ফারুক আহমদ); born 22 January 1964) is a Bangladeshi-born British writer, journalist, literary critic, Community Historian, lyricist and dramatist. He is perhaps best known for his book, the 'Bengali Journals and Journalism in Britain (1916–2001)'.
Early Life: Faruque was born in Gopalganj, Sylhet, Pakistan (now Bangladesh), immigrated to England on the 29th December 1989.
Career
Faruque Ahmed has been actively involved in Bengali literary and cultural activity in Bangladesh and the UK for over three decades now. In Bangladesh, he served in various newspapers and magazines, including Weekly Sylhet Kantha, Monthly Desh Dunia, Fortnightly Khidmat, and Monthly Suchayan in a variety of capacities[1]. In London, he was chief editor of the monthly London Bichitra (1984–86), a Bengali news magazine. He is an active member of 'London Bangla Press Club', Secretary General of 'The Ethnic Minorities Original History and Research Centre (EMOHRC) London, Chairperson of 'Bangla Bhavon (2011–12)', based in Tower Hamlets, and chairperson of ' Shommilita Sangskritik Parishad(UK)'(The Council for Bengali Cultural Alliance(UK) 2017--).[2] He is a regular contributor to the Bengali journals in the UK. [3] In more than the last two decades, he has interviewed many senior citizens of the Bengali community, collected oral history, rare documents, newspapers, photographs, booklets, posters from all over the UK[4] and authored on Bangladeshi communities in more than five books. He edited autobiographical writings of Tasadduq Ahmed, a leading personality in Britain’s Bengali community, named 'Random Memories' (November 2002). The early History of Sylhet-Division Awami League and Student League (February 2007) Written by M. A. Munim. Faruque Ahmed is one of the founders and first head teacher in charge of Ranaping Adarsha High School and College (1987) [5] Founder of Kutub Ali Guaspur Government Primary School (2000) and also one of the founding members of Golapganj Quality (English Medium) School (2008). Alongside this he is involved in the catering business. [6] Before coming to the England, Ahmed worked as an acting head teacher of Ranaping Adarsha High School in Golapganj, Sylhet. In 1984 he was executive editor of monthly Khidmat and later fortnightly Golap Darpon, first newspapers published from Golapganj Thana (now Upazila).
Awards
Ahmed has received Bangla Academy NRB writers Award 2013.[7][8][9][10]
Personal life
Faruque Ahmed came to England as a scriptwriter with 'Jholok International Artist Group', married Jahanara Begum and settled in London. They have one daughter two sons.
Works
Bengali
Year Title 1994 'E Matir Baul' (Mystic poet of this Land, Lyrical songs, Published by Video Times, London) 1999 'Golapganj-e-Islam' (Islamic History of Golapganj, Published by Asha Prokashani, Sylhet) 2001 'Vilayete Bangla Sangbadpatra o Sangbadikota' (Bengali Journals and Journalism in Britain 1916-2007, Published by Ethnic Minorities Original History and Research Centre (EMOHRC), London. 2007 'Mukth Judder Smriti' (Reminiscence of the Bangladesh Liberation War 1971, collections of Bengali articles, Published by EMOHRC, London) 2012 Vilayete Banglar Rajniti (Bengal Politics in Britain 1831-2009, Sahitya Prokash, Dhaka) 2015 'Golapganjer Itihas' (History of Golapganj, Published by Ittadi Grantho Prokash, Dhaka) 2016 'Shaptahik Janomot Muktijudder Onnyna Dalil (Weekly Janomot: a Unique Document on the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, published by Ittadi Grantho Prokash, Dhaka) 2017 'Vilayete Bangla Sahitya o Sonskriti Chorcha' (Study of Bangla Literature and Culture in Britain, Bangla Academy, Dhaka)
English
Year Title 2009 Bengali Journals and Journalism in Britain 1916-2007 (Lulu, USA, 2009)[12][13] 2010 Bengal Politics in Britain: Logic, Dynamics and Disharmony 1831-2009 (Lulu, USA)[14][15]