Ctg's Zia Memorial Museum to be transformed into modern one: Farooki

Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has announced that funding for the Zia Memorial Museum in Chattogram city—closed for the past 16 years—has been doubled to facilitate its revival. 

"With the increased allocation, plans are underway to transform the facility into a fully modern and comprehensive museum," he said at a press conference held today at the Chattogram Circuit House. 

Mofidul Rahman, secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, and Farida Khanom, deputy commissioner of Chattogram, were also present.

Farooki said that funding for the reactivation of the museum has been doubled, after remaining dormant for the past 16 years. 

"A professional curation team is being assembled to accurately present Ziaur Rahman's life, his role in the 1971 Liberation War, and his contributions to state governance," he said.

He also mentioned the formation of a dedicated research team to support curators in developing accurate and engaging exhibits, with the preparatory phase targeted for completion within the next month.

The museum has remained closed since March 2022 after years of neglect, during which the building deteriorated significantly, putting valuable historical artifacts at risk. Notably, in 2019, the museum's nameplate was defaced with ink by members of Chhatra League (now banned). 

In 2019, Chhatra League men defaced the museum's nameplate with ink. Eventually, in March 2022, the museum was completely shut down. During that period, successive ministers repeatedly announced plans to relocate the museum.

However, following a shift in the political landscape on 5 August, the prolonged period of stagnation has finally ended, and efforts to restore and reopen the museum are now underway.

At the event, the cultural adviser announced that Chattogram's iconic traditions—Jabbar's Boli Khela (traditional wrestling) and the Sampan Race—will be included in the cultural heritage calendar of the cultural ministry.

Farooki remarked, "When one thinks of Chattogram, Jabbar's Boli Khela and the Sampan Race immediately come to mind. These two traditions deserve recognition as vital elements of our national culture."

Starting next year, these cultural events, which have so far been organised locally, will be held under the supervision of the cultural ministry, ensuring greater national recognition and preservation.