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Prakashak Oikya, a platform for publishers, on Saturday urged Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman Tarique Rahman to postpone the forthcoming Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 due to Ramadan, said a press release.
Ramadan, the month of fasting for the Muslims, is expected to begin on February 18 or February 19, depending on the sighting of the moon.
They also urged to reschedule the book fair after Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure the industry’s stability.
14 publishers, including Mesbah Uddin Ahmed of Ahmed Publishing House, Mazharul Islam of Anyaprokash, Mahabub Rahman of Adarsha, Iqbal Hossain Sanu of Laboni and Mahrukh Mohiuddin of the University Press Limited, said that the outgoing government’s attempt to organise the fair was made without any discussion with them.
The platform said that the industry has suffered since the COVID pandemic, and during pre-election periods, the publication sector could not make preparations for the fair.
On February 2, at a press conference in Dhaka, they urged the government to ensure rent-free stalls, launch a ‘book incentive’ for students, and purchase 300 copies of each standard book.
This year, the Bangla Academy book fair committee rescheduled the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 for February 20-March 15, following the 13th parliamentary elections held on February 12.
