‘We must collectively fight against forgetting’: Farooki meets FIDH President at July Museum

"We must collectively fight against forgetting," said the culture adviser, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, upon meeting the President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) at the July Museum. 

On Monday, Alice Mogwe, president of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), visited the July Mass Uprising Commemoration Museum and met the culture adviser, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. The Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Director General of the National Museum were also present at the meeting.

Mogwe stated, "The memory is not only for the past, but also for the future," after taking a tour through the museum. "The museum is currently engaged in this important and critical endeavour". The adviser Farooki stated, "We are collectively combating the act of forgetting as a nation. The 16 years of atrocities and crimes against humanity have left a profound scar on society, and we draw strength from the families of victims of enforced disappearance who have never returned. Their families are unable to achieve closure, which is more challenging than accepting the death of a family member."

Read more

Nuhash Humayun’s ‘Waqt’ heads to SXSW Sydney

Mogwe concurred and suggested that there should be initiatives implemented to address the collective trauma of society. Farooki responds that the museum will provide trauma response support in the future, including in-person counselling sessions and a hotline number for the families of victims and visitors. The conversation was concluded by Mogwe, who expressed her unwavering support for these initiatives.