Doleshwar Hanafia Jame Mosque, Dhaka, Bangladesh has received the "Award of Merit" in UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2021.
Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) is pleased to announce that the Doleshwar Hanafia Jame Mosque, Dhaka, Bangladesh has received the "Award of Merit" in UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2021. IAB also congratulates Ar. Dr. Abu Sayeed M. Ahmed and his team for their outstanding achievement. Prof. Dr. Abu Sayeed M Ahmed is the Past President of IAB and President Elect of ARCASIA 2022-2023.
The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation is supported by the newly established partnership between UNESCO and the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation (NTFCF). Since 2000, the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation programme has been recognizing the efforts of private individuals and organizations in restoring, conserving, and transforming structures and buildings of distinct heritage value in the region. Awarded projects demonstrate sound technical achievement, appropriate use or adaptation, engagement with the local community, and contributions to enhancing the environmental sustainability and resilience of the heritage place. (https://bangkok.unesco.org/.../2021-unesco-asia-pacific...).
After reviewing a total of 39 entries from 12 countries across the Asia-Pacific, nine projects from six countries – Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand – have been honored in 2021. The complete list of 2021 awarded projects comprises:
Award of Excellence:
Nizamuddin Basti, New Delhi, India
Award of Distinction:
Jingdezhen Pengjia Alley Compound, Jiangxi, China
Kesennuma Historic Citiscape, Miyagi, Japan
Award of Merit
Doleshwar Hanafia Jame Mosque, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Temple, Penang, Malaysia
Baan Khun Phithak Raya, Pattani, Thailand
New Design in Heritage Contexts Shajing Ancient Fair, Shenzhen, China Songyang Culture Neighborhood, Zhejiang, China
Special Recognition for Sustainable Development
Shajing Ancient Fair, Shenzhen, China
Nizamuddin Basti, New Delhi, India
Kesennuma Historic Citiscape, Miyagi, Japan
Mrigadayavan Palace Woodshop, Phetchaburi, Thailand
According to 2021 Winners Citations, the restoration of the Doleshwar Hanafia Jame Mosque on the outskirts of Dhaka sets a welcome precedent for privately-supported restoration and valorizes heritage in a historic village context. Dating to the 19th century, the mosque had suffered from burgeoning pressures from the growing population as well as inappropriate repairs that had compromised the authenticity of the historic architecture. The project reversed the ill effects of prior interventions and restored the original character and aesthetic through the use of traditional artisan skills and materials. The conversion of the mosque into a Quran study centre for local youth ensures its on-going centrality for the community and coming generations.(https://bangkok.unesco.org/.../2021-Winners-Citations.pdf)
