On Sunday, 31st March, at the Impression Events Venue, West Ham, Bangladesh Regeneration Trust UK (BRT) held their annual appreciation of their donors, supporters, and well-wishers iftar event. More than 100 people attended and received insight into the charity work of BRT in Bangladesh.

Hosted by Yahya Alkasmiah, an executive member of BRT, the opening Qur’an recitation and a short reminder on charitable giving were beautifully delivered by Tamjeed Kadir.

Chair Ibrahim Ali shared their more than a decade-long work in Bangladesh through the education, health, and livelihood initiatives, amounting to more than £1M benefitting thousands of families of poor and marginalised communities.

Nazir Ali, Secretary of BRT, also shared their unique work under the banner of the Bangladesh Heritage Tours. For almost a decade, reconnecting 2nd and 3rd generation British Bangladeshis to their roots, whilst undertaking charitable activities and fundraising for BRT’s charity work in Bangladesh, participants also get to see real Bangladesh from Teknaf to Tetulia. This year, a team of 14 including families fundraising £8,000 whilst visiting projects in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Cox’s Bazar, Kustia, Bagerhat, St Martin’s Islan and Sylhet.

“Our itinerary is fully planned and managed by our charity partner GUSS in Bangladesh. However, the travel, food and accommodation are self-funded by the individual participants.” Emphasised by Nazir.

Supporting words were shared by this year’s participants Ashid Ali, Principal of London Enterprise Academy (LEA), Muhi Mikdad, Careers Advisor, LEA and Harun Rashid of Broadway and West. It was an eye-opener for them to see the disparity in the education sector, where the poor railway children in Rajshahi and the slum kids in Dhaka were often left behind yet being supported by various charities and NGOs like BRTUK. They enjoyed this year’s heritage tour and will continue to support BRTUK.

Guest participants included Aliur Rahman of London Tea Exchange, Parvez Qureshi of Brick Lane Funerals, Koyes Miah of Bishwanath Sports Association, Zain Miah, Ashikur Rahman, Sumona Sumi, Shakawat Islam of Bangladesh Probashi Kallyan Parishad (BPKP), Shahidul Alam Ratan of Capital Kids Cricket, Imrul Gazi of Deshi Golf, and many more.

BRT management and volunteers present also included Mostafa Hussain (Treasurer), Mayen Uddin Ansar (Executive Member), Abdul Hakim (Executive Member), Alam Sheikh, Kamal Ahmed, Nazrul Hoque, Mohammed Chan Miah (Lilu) and Talib Uddin. The sponsors of the event were RC Catering and Impression Events Venue. The media presence was Mohammed Fokor of Mayar Sylhet and Khaled Masud Roney of ATN Bangla.

The closing Qur’an recitation and iftar dua were led by the mesmerising Shaykh Ahmad Rajab of Egypt. The Maghrib Adhan was conducted by Hafiz Tamjeed Kadir. A sumptuous iftar was prepared and served by Impression Events Venue.

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