In the Fundamentalists' Sights

Because of his socially critical images, Bangladeshi photojournalist G.M.B. Akash has received death threats from Islamic extremists, forcing him to flee his homeland. A portrait of the world famous photographer by Werner Nording

Photographer G.M.B. Akash; (photo: G.M.B. Akash)
His camera captures the underdogs in Bengali society – photographer G.M.B. Akash

​​In their apartment in Hamburg's Schanzen quarter, G.M.B. Akash and his wife feel safe. The "Hamburg Foundation for the Politically Persecuted", founded 20 years ago by then-mayor Klaus von Dohnanyi, invited them to take shelter in the Hanseatic city in Germany. As a consequence of his courageous advocacy of democracy, freedom and human rights in Bangladesh, Akash had to fear for his life.

The photographer is very reluctant to speak about these events – and for good reason. "I do not have any problems with the government, but there are some people in Bangladesh who do not appreciate my work," says Akash, quickly adding: "I'd rather not talk about it, since my parents still live there."

Koran pupils in chains

The people who don’t like his pictures are Islamic fundamentalists, and they have even gone so far as to speak death threats against him. The Muslim extremists felt that one of Akash's photos denigrated the Koran school in which it was taken. Akash had discovered that the medieval practice of chaining children down during lessons was still common.

This picture won third prize in the 2006 "World Press Photo Award" competition and was printed in news magazines worldwide. Today, many of Akash's photographs are published in international newspapers and magazines such as "The Economist", "Time", "Newsweek", "Geo" and "El mundo." In 2006 he received the "American Graphic Design Award" for his photo book "First Light".

G.M.B. Akash has been working as a photographer since 1996. His photos explore the dark side of Bengali society – the difficult lives led by homosexuals, prostitutes, drug addicts and the child slaves who work for a pittance in many factories.

Focus on social misfits

"My pictures show people at the fringes of society," Akash remarks. "This is certainly only a small part of the reality in Bangladesh. But I'm especially interested in things that need to be changed in a positive direction. I don't show all of Bengali society, but only the excerpt that I see."

Man beating boy working at a sewing machine; (photo: Hamburg.de)
Beatings for child laborers – with this photo, G.M.B. Akash won third prize in the “World Press Photo Award” competition

​​The child slaves in particular have caught Akash's eye. In his collection, a photo of a boy in a sewing factory stands out, the floor strewn with colorful t-shirts "Made in Bangladesh". In front of the child is a sewing machine, next to him his boss. And the latter is swinging a wooden club with which he is about to strike the boy because he is apparently too slow or unwilling to work.

It was pure coincidence that Akash appeared on the scene at just that moment and was able to capture the impending blow on film. "I asked the supervisor why he was beating the boy. He's too slow, was the answer. Later, I showed him the photo and told him that if he beat the child again he would go to jail. He was shocked and fearful, and promised never to beat his child workers again."

Against child labor

It would be even better if child labor were prohibited in Bangladesh, but Bengali society has not come that far yet, Akash laments. "I really want to help the children in the factories; I want to show these pictures in every city in Bangladesh and speak with the parents and the factory owners about working conditions. I want to show the pictures in the schools. That would cost money and take a great deal of effort, but I think that it could change things."

Akash and his wife are taking German lessons in Hamburg. Day after day, the photographer explores the city with his camera in tow; he wants to show the people back home what life in Germany is like. He has already gathered many impressions. The people here have a great deal of freedom, Akash comments; they can say and publish anything they want to. "Often, I see lonely people, though, especially older people who are all alone on the street. That's different with us – when our relatives get old, we take care of them."

Akash and his wife can stay in Hamburg as guests of the "Foundation for the Politically Persecuted" until December 2007. But the photographer is already homesick and can hardly wait to return to Bangladesh – although he will still be in great danger there.

Werner Nording

© DEUTSCHE WELLE/Qantara.de 2007

Qantara.de

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