Iftar gathering #3: discussing critical discourses and celebrating the diversity of the Bangladeshi diaspora with OITIJ-JO Collective
Friday 13th March 2026 , 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Our third Iftar gathering instigates critical discussions, reflecting on the impact of recent political shifts and turmoil in Bangladesh. We will celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of the global Bangladeshi community in the context of Hoque’s explorations of ambient citizenship and personal archives, accompanied by a communal dinner prepared by OITIJ-JO Kitchen for those breaking the Ramadan fast.
A chance to engage with images and sounds from the 2024 July Uprising and beyond – we will explore these ideas alongside the context of Laisul Hoque’s exhibition in the spirit of his ideas around collective storytelling.
In collaboration with OITIJ-JO Collective, our third Iftar gathering instigates critical discussions around political movements in Bangladesh and the roles played by creative practices within them. Beginning with an exhibition tour of Laisul Hoque’s show, The Ground Beneath Me, in the Nunnery Gallery, we will be reflecting on the impact of the recent political shifts and turmoil in Bangladesh. We will connect aspect’s of Hoque’s current exhibition and artistic practice to a wider collection of images and sounds that emerged throughout and beyond the 2024 July Uprising, with a focus on often marginalised narratives, and personal stories. We will also celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of the global Bangladeshi community in the context of Hoque’s explorations of ambient citizenship and personal archives, accompanied by a communal dinner prepared by OITIJ-JO Kitchen for those breaking the Ramadan fast.
We will hear from Vincent Hasselbach, a curator and researcher working with photographers and artists in Bangladesh for the last decade, whose current work focuses on photographic histories and the emergent archive of the July Uprising.
Food and drink menu:
- Drinks and snacks: Lemon Sharbat, Dates
- Dinner: Vegetable Biryani with Daal & Mixed Salad
This event will start at 5pm at the Nunnery Cafe, with a communal dinner offered to the participants to break the Ramadan fast starting around 5:30pm.
More about OITIJ-JO Kitchen
OITIJ-JO Kitchen is a woman-led project of the OITIJ-JO Collective, an arts and training charity dedicated to promoting awareness of Bengali culture.
It aims to bring traditional, handmade Bangladeshi cuisine to the public and to disrupt the gender norms of hospitality and catering sector by providing training and employment opportunities to people who are generally underrepresented in kitchen and front of house roles.
Their specialty is slow cooked, home style food that gives time to health and wellbeing. They love to serve a wide range of customers of all ages and from all walks of life, especially people who might not have tried home cooked Bangladeshi food before. They started out of grassroots action in Tower Hamlets and have a strong belief supporting home grown talent and celebrating their borough and the diverse community of London.
Access information
The Nunnery Gallery and Café have step-free access throughout from street level, including to the accessible toilet, and is service animal friendly. This venue does not have a hearing loop system. Accessible parking is not available on-site.
If you have any questions regarding accessibility at this venue or event, would like to make us aware of any access requirements that you have in advance of visiting, or would like this information in an alternate format including Easy Read, please email nunnery@bowarts.com or call 020 8980 7774 (Ext. 3)
Access requirements could include things like providing equipment, services or support (e.g. information in Easy Read, speech to text software, additional 1:1 support), adjusting workshop timings (e.g. more break times), adjustments to the event space (e.g. making sure you have a seat near the entrance) or anything else you can think of!
Transport Information
Opening hours: Wed-Sun, 10am to 4pm
Address: Nunnery Gallery, 181 Bow Road, London, E3 2SJ
Nearest station(s): Bow Road (District and Hammersmith and City lines) is a 6-minute walk away, and Bow Church (DLR) is a 3-minute walk away.
Bus: 205, 25, 425, A8, D8, 108, 276, 488 and 8 all service the surrounding area.
Bike: Bicycle parking is located at Bow Church Station. The nearest Santander Cycles docking station is at Bow Church Station.
