Over 100 invited guests, including the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Mohammed Shafiq, community leaders, and distinguished figures from across the city, came together for a landmark cultural event celebrating the Bangladeshi community’s rich heritage and its contribution to Bradford’s social fabric.
The evening, held at BEAP Community Partnership, was marked by two major cultural milestones: the premiere of Stories in a Suitcase, a heritage film capturing the lived experiences of first-generation Bangladeshi migrants, and the official launch of Bangladeshis in Bradford, a new book by Dr Shaukat Ahmed MBE.
Together, the book and film provide an unprecedented record of the untold stories, organisational achievements, and cultural legacy of Bradford’s Bangladeshi community.
Preserving a community’s history
Based in Manningham, BEAP Community Partnership has long been at the heart of community development and advocacy in Bradford. Its latest projects emerged from a recognition that the struggles and contributions of the Bangladeshi pioneers – those who first arrived in the city from the 1960s onwards – were at risk of being forgotten.
Through storytelling, film, and documentation, BEAP has worked to ensure that the sacrifices, resilience, and successes of that generation are not only remembered but also shared with younger generations.
Dr Shaukat Ahmed, whose book Bangladeshis in Bradford was officially unveiled at the event, spoke of the importance of recording history in the community’s own words.
“This book is about preserving the history of our community – the first generation who came in the 1960s and beyond, who worked tirelessly in the textile mills and built the foundations of the vibrant community we see today. Without them, none of what we have achieved would be possible. It is vital that we record our history in our own words, so future generations know where they come from.”
Copies of the book, priced at £15, are available through BEAP and other selected outlets.
Stories of resilience and hope
The premiere of Stories in a Suitcase, directed by BEAP’s Executive Director Shahidur Rahman, added a powerful visual dimension to the evening. The film delves into the deeply personal accounts of early migrants who arrived in Britain with little more than a suitcase, carrying not only possessions but also their hopes, dreams, and sacrifices.
Mr Rahman said: “These stories are living history. Suitcases were not just about what people carried – they symbolised hope, sacrifice, and the dreams of a better future. Through this film, we wanted to capture the resilience of that first generation and ensure their legacy is never forgotten.”
The screening resonated strongly with the audience, many of whom saw reflections of their own families’ journeys on screen.
A celebration of identity and belonging
The event was hosted by community figure Lukman Miah, who highlighted the evening’s wider significance beyond the launch of a book and film.
“Today was not just a book launch or a film screening – it was a celebration of identity, belonging, and pride. We stood together as a community to acknowledge the struggles and triumphs of those before us, and to commit ourselves to carrying that legacy forward. It was truly inspiring to see so many people come together to honour our pioneers.”
Hiron Miah, Chair of BEAP Community Partnership, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of bridging the gap between generations.
“For BEAP, this event was about creating a bridge between generations. Our young people need to know the sacrifices that were made to give them the opportunities they have today. By combining film, literature, and community stories, we have ensured that our heritage is captured in a way that is both powerful and accessible. This is about pride, learning, and passing on a legacy.”
Plans for a heritage centre
Building on the momentum of the evening, BEAP announced ambitious plans to establish a British-Bangladeshi Heritage Centre at its Manningham base. The national centre will archive a wealth of materials – including books, photographs, articles, and oral histories – documenting the community’s journey in Britain.
Accessible to the general public and researchers by pre-booking, the centre will provide an enduring resource for education, reflection, and celebration of the Bangladeshi experience in Britain.
Image: BEAP
Distinguished guests and community pride
Among the many special guests in attendance were the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Mohammed Shafiq, Cllr Rizwana Jamil, former Lord Mayor Cllr Mohammed Ajeeb, Dr Iqbal Mujtaba, Eyarun Nessa, Cllr Sabiya Khan, Selina Ullah, Cllr Fulzar Ahmed, Graham Swain, former Cllr Hasan Khan, and Jan Thomas, a former teacher at Belle Vue First School.
Their presence underlined the event’s significance as a city-wide celebration, with attendees describing it as a “momentous occasion” in recognising the Bangladeshi community’s vital role in shaping Bradford’s past, present, and future.
Honouring the past, inspiring the future
As the evening closed, there was a shared sense that the community had taken an important step in safeguarding its heritage. By documenting its history through both words and film, the Bangladeshi community in Bradford has created a legacy of resilience and pride – one that will inspire generations to come.
For Bradford, the event stood as a reminder of the city’s strength in diversity and the enduring contributions of its Bangladeshi residents.
