Diplomats Tour July Uprising Museum Ahead of Public Opening

Foreign diplomats based in Dhaka today visited the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, days before it is set to open for public.

Foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka on Tuesday visited the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum, days ahead of its public opening.

During the visit, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki briefed the diplomats and guided them through the museum’s key sections, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.

At the beginning of the two-hour visit, the diplomats observed a minute’s silence in memory of nearly 4,000 people who were martyred during the rule of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Farooki said the July Museum aims to collaborate with similar institutions around the world. “The idea behind the museum is to prevent the recurrence of such misrule — not only in Bangladesh, but anywhere in the world,” he said.

Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain, who was also present, said the museum reflects the people’s resistance against years of authoritarian rule.

“The museum captures the climax of the 36 days of the July uprising, while also documenting the long years of misrule that led to it,” he said, adding that the true lesson of history lies in ensuring such events are never repeated.

Chief Curator of the July Museum Tanzim Wahab explained the museum’s various features and exhibits to the visiting diplomats and guests.

European Union Ambassador and Head of Delegation Michael Miller described the visit as both inspiring and sobering. “It is a powerful reminder of the importance of understanding history, how mass uprisings take shape, and the origins of the 2024 uprising in Bangladesh,” he said.

A large number of diplomats attended the event, including ambassadors and senior representatives from Algeria, Argentina, Bhutan, Denmark, Egypt, France, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kosovo, Libya, Morocco, Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Türkiye, the United States, China, Japan and Brunei Darussalam.

Senior officials from international and regional organisations were also present, including representatives of the Aga Khan Development Network, Asian Development Bank, BIMSTEC, CIRDAP, FAO, IFDC, IOM, UNESCO, UNHCR, WFP and UNOPS.

Senior Secretary for SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman were among the Bangladeshi officials in attendance.

Ganabhaban, the former official residence of Sheikh Hasina, has been converted into the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum. The museum is scheduled for a soft opening next week.