Faizul Islam was a renowned Bangladeshi economist and fiction writer, born on November 24, 1963, in Shiddhweswari, Dhaka. He passed away on January 21, 2025. Islam completed his early education at Pabna Zilla School and Edward College, Pabna, before earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics from Rajshahi University. He further pursued a postgraduate degree in Development Economics from Williams College, USA. Islam’s literary career began with his first short story collection, Nakshatrer Ghora, published in 1998. He was a respected civil servant, he joined the Bangladesh Civil Service in 1994 and served as the chairman of the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission until his death. His literary work, Khowaz Khizirer Shinduk, was awarded by Prothom Alo, cementing his legacy in both literature and economics.
The Ark of Khowaz Khizir or Changta Habib’s dreams chronical of Immortality.
The story The Ark of Khowaz Khizir is a poignant tale of resilience, courage, and the relentless human pursuit of betterment. Set in rural Bangladesh, the narrative follows Changta and Najor, two of the poorest workers in society.
About 40 to 50 years ago, wells were the primary source of drinking water, and the ‘Kua Jharani’ or well cleaners, like Changta, were tasked with maintaining them. This job involved great physical strain and posed life-threatening risks as they had to submerge themselves in muddy water for several minutes to clean and retrieve valuable items. Despite their remarkable skills, the wages were barely enough for survival.
However, when tube wells replaced the traditional wells, Changta and Najor found themselves without work, forcing them to beg for food. But they clung to hope, driven by the legend of Khowaz Khizir, the prophet of water, who was believed to bestow wealth upon those fortunate enough to find his treasure. Changta, at 62, despite his frail body, decided to take a final risk and descend into an abandoned well in search of the chest filled with gold coins.
After a long and grueling effort, Changta finally glimpses the treasure but succumbs to exhaustion before he can reach it. His fate mirrors that of migrant workers seeking better lives abroad—some succeed, while others are lost along the way. The story emphasizes the undying human spirit, the courage to face adversity, and the endless journey toward change, a journey that continues to shape societies and civilizations.
Adaptation and Direction by Ahmed Abid and Lucy Tripti Gomes.
ABOUT THE WRITER: FAIZUL ISLAM
ABOUT: Dr. Ahmed Abidur Razzaque Khan
Dr. Ahmed Abidur Razzaque Khan (alias Ahmed Abid) is an Assistant Professor of General Education at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) and an Associate Member of the Club of Rome. He holds a joint Ph.D. in Human Rights, Society, and Multi-Level Governance from the Human Rights Centre, University of Padova, Italy, and Western Sydney University, Australia. He is also an adjunct fellow at the Humanitarian and Development Research Initiative (HADRI), Western Sydney University. As an Activist, Ahmed directs and acts in theatre, creates documentary films, and curates storytelling projects across Asia-Pacific and Europe. He was the General Secretary of Dhaka Little Theatre (1993–1998) and a key founder of Lokojog Collectives. He served as the Artistic Director for the First Human Rights Film Festival in Thailand (2009). His debut documentary, The Dreaming Vendors (2010), explored cross-border human trafficking and was selected for the Festival of South Asian Documentaries (FSA ’11). He also served as a Human Rights Network Jury member at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF/2011). Abid leads Bengal, panel linking Bangladesh and Poland, at the XXIII IAHR World Congress (2025) in Kraków, Poland. Through theatre, film, and academia, he continues to champion the arts as a catalyst for education, human rights, and social change.
ABOUT: Lucy Tripti Gomes
Lucy Tripti Gomes is award winning actor and filmmaker, a dedicated social activist, theatre artist, and from Bangladesh. With a deep passion for theatre and film, she has been actively performing since 1995. She earned her master’s degree in acting from Jahangirnagar University’s Drama and Dramatics Department in 2000. She has been associated with Natta Kendra, a renowned theatre group in Bangladesh, as a performer and designer since 2000. From 2003 to 2009, she worked as a theatre activist for the Popular Theatre Program at Ain o Salish Kendra, using theatre to raise awareness about human rights in remote areas of Bangladesh.
Over the past 15 years, Lucy has established herself as a filmmaker, collaborating with government agencies, NGOs, and satellite TV stations. In 2014, she directed a short film adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s Daakghor, funded by the Cultural Ministry of Bangladesh. She also won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2012 for her role in Uttorer Sur, directed by Shahnewaz Kakoli.
In 2017, she participated in the prestigious 77th International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), supported by the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka. From January 2020 to June 2023, she worked as an Interactive Theatre Expert for ActionAid Bangladesh’s Rohingya Response Program. Since 2024, Lucy Tripti Gomes has been actively involved as a Creative Director at Lokojog Collectives, continuing her commitment to impactful storytelling and social activism through theatre and film including curating art events.
ACCESSIBILITY
In Bengali
Wheelchair accessible
Companion Card accepted
Assistive Hearing system available (FM)
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