Adviser Farooki collects July martyrs' memories for museum
The government aims to open the July Museum by 5 August, he says
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki began collecting personal belongings of July uprising martyrs from Chattogram today (1 June), as part of efforts to establish a "July Memorial Museum" to honour the movement and its victims.
He visited the home of Shaheed Foysal Ahmed Shanto in Lalkhan Bazar, where he received some of Shanto's belongings, including clothing and personal items.
An emotional atmosphere prevailed as Shanto's mother handed over her son's belongings while demanding justice for his killing.
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In response, Farooki assured her and others that efforts were underway to preserve the memory of the martyrs and deliver justice.
"We have begun collecting items used by the martyrs of the July uprising to preserve them as memory objects," said Farooki.
He went on to say, "This process has started in Chattogram. A large team has been formed to work across the country over the next one and a half months. Committees and sub-committees have been established, and we aim to open the July Museum by 5 August."
While speaking with Shanto's family, Farooki emphasised the importance of conveying the grief and heroism of July to future generations.
"Every family I visit — when looking into their eyes — I see the pain that words can't express. Our responsibility is to transfer that emotion to those who will visit the museum," he said.
He noted that the initiative is not just about collecting physical objects but also about documenting the emotional void left behind.
"We are also launching a photo documentation series to capture the grief and absence these families feel. That work begins here, in Chattogram," Farooki added.
After visiting Shanto's home, Farooki met with the families of martyrs Shahidul Islam and Md Faruk at the Circuit House and collected their personal belongings as well.
On Saturday, he had also traveled to Chakaria in Cox's Bazar to meet the family of Wasim Akram, another martyr of the Chattogram uprising, and collected his belongings for preservation.
