NSS to host London networking event for Bengali diaspora

Bengalis in Britain will have the opportunity to explore secularist issues at a National Secular Society networking event next month.

The NSS is hosting a free event in London for the Bengali diaspora to come together and discuss how to promote secularism in the face of rising religious fundamentalism in South Asia.

Speakers will include secularist activist Ansar Ahmed Ullah, who will talk about secularism within the context of South Asian diaspora.

He will be joined by Ajanta Deb Roy, founder and director of advocacy group Be Humane First, who will explain how anti-secular propaganda on social media is affecting the diaspora community.

Syed Enamul Islam, executive president of the International Forum for Secular Bangladesh UK, will also be speaking on the topic of promoting secularism at the community level and developing strong networks to share ideas.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn more about the work of the NSS from Sadikur Rahman, a member of the NSS council.

The event will take place on April 21^st at Toynbee Hall in Tower Hamlets.

NSS engagement officer Buddha Halder said: "Minority communities have an essential role to play in promoting secularism as the best means of fostering cohesion and harmony in a diverse society.

"There are approximately 500,000 Bengalis in the UK and there are secularist issues affecting them in particular, not least the rise of religious extremism.

"This event aims to unite like-minded Bengalis and discuss how we can all work together to tackle these issues both in the UK and overseas."