Wikipedia

Arifur Rahman

Not to be confused with Arifur Rahman (footballer).

Arifur Rahman (born August 8, 1984) is a Bangladeshi-Norwegian political cartoonist, illustrator and animator. He is a self-taught cartoonist who is renowned for his contribution to cartoons both on the internet and in print media. In Bangladesh, he is best known as Cartoonist Arif[1] for anti-corruption cartoons.[2] He's won multiple awards for Anti-Corruption cartoons from Transparency International Bangladesh and the Daily Star. He was the first and former guest cartoonist of International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN).[3][4] He is a publisher of cartoon magazine Toons Mag and the organizer of international cartoon contests and exhibitions.

Arifur Rahman
আরিফুর রহমান
Born (1984-08-08) August 8, 1984 (age 40)
Shahzadpur, Sirajganj, Bangladesh
Nationality
CitizenshipNorway
Alma materNational University, Bangladesh
Nansen Academy
Kristiania University College
OccupationCartoonist
Years active2004–present
Known forPolitical cartoon, Activism
TitleFounder and Publisher of Toons Mag
Websitearifurrahman.com

Biography

edit

Early life

edit
 
Arifur Rahman (left) with American political cartoonist Ranan Lurie (right) in Kathmandu, Nepal. Photo from South Asian cartoon congress 2008.

Arifur Rahman was born in a small village called Tetiar Kanda in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj, Bangladesh.[citation needed] When Arifur Rahman was in the Preschool, Arif's father left his wife and children and remarried.[5] Arif's parents got divorced afterward and his mother went back to her family's village, taking Arif and his sister along. They were broke and his mother was depressed. Whatever she was to inherit from her father had already been given to her husband in dowry, so she had nothing to get by. Arif, with his mother and sister, lived in a room with their grandmother. Arif's maternal grandfather was a pious man and had two wives. Arif's mother was among the children from his first marriage, but he had come to live with his second wife during those years. It meant he barely saw his first wife. Arif was enrolled in the a nearby school there.[6]

 
Sleep and dream. This cartoon describes the difference between the poor and the richest, and the difference between their dreams and goals. One of the Arifur Rahman's earlier cartoons from 2008.

Arif and his family struggled for money. His mother started farming chickens for some pocket money. His uncles and aunts helped out by gifting Arif's mother goat and sheep cubs and he used to take care of the cattle when he returned from school. Arif went to a village school back then, which was far away from his grandfather's house. Arif had to walk a very long way to go to school every day.[6] Their village did not yet have access to electricity so, in the evening, he had to study by the tame flame of a kerosene lamp. He was a self-taught cartoonist and started drawing at an early age. His first cartoon was published in 2004 in a satire magazine called Bichhu by the Daily Jugantor.[7] Every day, he drew cartoons and sent them to the newspapers for publishing. That is how he created a name for himself as a cartoonist.[7]

Education

edit

He studied both in Bangladesh and in Norway.

Career

edit
 
Award-winning Anti-corruption cartoon, Arifur Rahman's cartoon  about corruption in Bangladesh 2006.
 
Award-winning Anti-corruption cartoon about Bangladesh 2007, Cartoon by Arifur Rahman.

Cartooning in Bangladesh

edit

In Bangladesh, he was famously known as “Cartoonist Arif.” In April 2004, Arif's cartoon was published in the satire magazine, “Bicchu” under the Daily Jugantor.[7] Since then, he has been drawing political satire cartoons and comic strips instead of paintings. He drew every day and sent his work off to newspapers. Almost all the daily newspapers in Bangladesh regularly published his cartoons back in the day. During 2004–2007, he drew a large number of cartoons for various Bangladeshi newspapers, such as The Daily Jugantar, Bhorer Kagoj, Samakal, Jaijaidin, Amar Desh, Ittefaq and Prothom Alo. He was noticed by people and known as "Cartoonist Arif" around Bangladesh. He was recognized by fellow and legendary Bangladeshi cartoonists like Rafiqun Nabi, Shishir Bhattacharjee, and Ahsan Habib.

In 2005, Rahman won the third prize in a contest titled Pin Hunt that was put on by The Daily Prothom Alo's periodical, Alpin (আলপিন), and won third prize in the Anti-Corruption Cartoon Competition arranged by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) in 2006, as well as first prize in the Anti-Corruption Cartoon Competition arranged by The Daily Star in 2007[8][9] and in the same year, The Daily Prothom Alo appointed him to draw cartoons as a contributing cartoonist.[10]

Cartoon controversy in Bangladesh

edit
Main article: 2007 Bangladesh cartoon controversy

Arifur Rahman's cartoons were regularly published in the satirical weekly supplement of the Prothom Alo newspaper, Alpin, but the one published in the 17 September 17, 2007 edition stirred quite a bit of controversy.[11][12][13] The cartoon features a conversation between a little boy and an older man. The apparently funny and harmless cartoon hurt a group of people's Islamic religious sentiments and Arif was sued for his cartoon.[14] Some people led by acclaimed religious influencers chose to call for a nationwide strike in Bangladesh on the back of the incident. Alpin was discontinued and the editor, Sumanta Alam, was fired, effective immediately. The editor of Prothom Alo, Matiur Rahman promised never to publish Arifur Rahman's cartoon in his newspaper again.[15][16][17][18] Arif was arrested one day later on September 18, from his residence in Dhaka. He was arrested for being a “traitor” and for “hurting the religious sentiments” under the blasphemy and emergency law of Bangladesh.[15][16][18]

Trial and Asylum to Norway

edit

Imprisoned on the 18th of September, 2007,[19] Arifur Rahman stayed in prison for six months and 2 days. While in prison, Arif was heartbroken and felt very helpless.[20][21] He felt wronged by his people and the country. He decided while sitting behind the bars that he would create a platform for the artists and art enthusiasts where they could express their talent and enjoy mindful art without any limitations or without the fear of being misunderstood, wrongfully judged or censored.[citation needed]

On 4 February 2008, the High Court ruled Arif's detention illegal,[22] dropped all charges brought against him and ordered his immediate release. But he was not released right away. He was finally freed on 20 March 2008,[1][23][24] but the struggle continued for Arif as he found it hard to pursue his cartooning dreams like he used to. He could not continue his studies due to the scandal as universities would not admit him because of his controversial background. In 2009, another case was filed against him in a court in Jessore, Khulna for the very same cartoon published in 2007.[25][26] The court in Jessore sentenced him to two months of rigorous imprisonment and fined him 500 Bangladeshi Taka, or another seven days in prison for impiety.[26]

Many Bangladeshi newspapers refused to publish any more of Arif's cartoons but some of them, the likes of The Daily Ittefaq and The Daily Prothom Alo, however, agreed to publish them under a pseudonym.[27] Arif was disheartened with that turn of events. His desire to create an uncensorable cartooning platform only got stronger with these unpleasant incidents fanning the fire.[28]

In 2010, the Government of Norway willingly granted Arif political asylum as his life came to a standstill in Bangladesh and his life was under constant threat.[4] Arif wanted to stay back in Bangladesh but he was not able to because of his controversy, as he was labeled by his 2007 scandal. Arif also came to fear for his life as one threat after another kept on coming in all shapes and forms. He had no option but to emigrate to Norway on 30 November 2010, and start a new life there for himself and his ambitions.[4] He cannot enter Bangladesh ever again without being prosecuted.[25][26]

Cartooning in Norway

edit

In Norway, his cartoons were published in various newspapers and magazines, such as Akershus Amtstidende, Ny Tid, Syn og Segn, Samtiden, Aftenposten, Østlandposten, Østlands-Posten, Bladet Vesterålen, Avisa Nordland, Glåmdalen, Stavanger Aftenblad and Melding til Stortinget by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Norway).[29][30][31][32][33][34]

Attack on cartoon exhibition

edit

On March 1, 2017, Arifur Rahman had an exhibition in Drøbak, where some new Syrian refugees appeared in the exhibition place before opening and took two of his drawings. One of the drawings was from 2007 from Bangladesh and another one was a criticism of the education system, “Madrasa Education System” in Bangladesh.[35][36][37][38][39][40]

Online media and publishing platform

edit
Main article: Toons Mag
 
Toons Mag logo and symbols of freedom of speech.

Arifur Rahman founded Toons Mag on November 1, 2009. With it, Arifur Rahman's ambition was to create a platform for artists around the world to express themselves without ever being concerned about being shut up by others. Toons Mag was everything Arif had dreamed of and more. To this day, Toons Mag promotes freedom of expression and encourages cartoonists around the world to contribute to it to enrich their cartooning expertise. It has also been holding the International Cartoon Contest and Exhibition every year since 2015 and its venues are scattered around Europe and Asia. Hundreds of cartoonists from around the globe participate in the contest and the selected artworks are exhibited in selected venues each year. So far, it has held exhibitions in over forty venues around the world. Toons Mag is exclusively edited by Arifur Rahman and it continues to be an untameable advocate of free speech. Cartoonists and writers from around the world willingly contribute to Toons Mag to showcase their talent and fulfill their potential.[28]

In 2015, Toons Mag was nominated for the Best of Online Activism by The BOBs (Best of the Blogs), sponsored by Deutsche Welle and won it with an outstanding number of votes to its credit.[41] Toons Mag also awards The Cartoonist of the Year Medal every year for outstanding contributions to cartoons since 2016. Arifur Rahman is the one behind Toons Mag's excellence and it has become a mirror of who its founder is at heart.[42]

Exhibitions

edit

Since 2000 to present, his artwork and cartoons have been exhibited in more than 40 places, including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Norway, Sweden, Morocco, Turkey, France, Croatia, Slovakia and the United States.[43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53]

International initiatives

edit

Arifur Rahman organized multiple International Cartoon Contest and Exhibitions through the cartoon Magazine Toons Mag to support children's rights, women's rights, freedom of expression, and gender equality.

Children in War

edit
Main article: Toons Mag § 2015: Children in War

In 2015, organized the International Cartoon Exhibition "Children in War" to focus on the suffering of children in war and conflict areas, such as in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq. One hundred and twenty-eight cartoonists participated in 51 different countries. On 10 September 2015, the exhibition was opened by Bishop Atle Sommerfeldt in The Norwegian Cartoonist Gallery (Avistegnernes Hus), Drøbak. It was a moving exhibition, which was exhibited in Oslo, Nesodden, Bergen, Stavanger, Haugesund, Kristiansand in Norway, and Norrköping, Sweden. The event was supported by The Norwegian Cartoonist Gallery and Fritt Ord.[45][54]

Women's Rights

edit
Main article: Toons Mag § 2016: Women's Rights

To draw the global awareness about women's rights, the cartoon competition was organized by Arifur Rahman and Toons Mag. 567 cartoonists were participated from 79 different countries with 1,625 drawings, and 12 cartoonist was won the award out of 567 cartoonists. A selection was represented in the Women's Rights exhibitions, which opened in Drøbak, Bangalore and Uttar Pradesh on International Women's Day, 8 March 2016.[55][56] The drawings in the exhibitions deal with women's rights and limitations; the lack of education, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, violence, discrimination, legal protection, and workload.[55][57] On 10 December 2016, it was exhibited in the Brain Sneezing Gallery in the Prešov Wave Club, Slovakia.[58][59] The event was supported by The Norwegian Cartoonist Gallery, Fritt Ord,[60] Indian Institute of Cartoonist, Brain Sneezing Gallery, Prešov Wave club, EEA funds, and the Slovak Republic.

Freedom of Expression

edit
Main article: Toons Mag § 2017: Freedom of Expression

This exhibition was organized to support freedom of expression. It has five hundred and eighteen cartoonists who participated from 83 countries, submitting 1,556 cartoons, and 12 cartoonists were won the award out of 518 cartoonists. The exhibition opening was in three countries, Norway, India, and Slovakia. Per Edgard Kokkvold, writer and former newspaper editor inaugurated the exhibition, in Drøbak. In Lillehammer, Norwegian musician Moddi Knutsen, inaugurated the exhibition and Norwegian political cartoonist Roar Hagen announced the award winner. It was also exhibited in Kýchanie Mozgu – Brain Sneezing gallery, Prešov, and Košice, Slovakia, as well as in the Slovak embassy in Oslo, Norway. Later on, it was exhibited on Eidsvoll, Norway.[61] The event was supported by The Norwegian Cartoonist Gallery, Fritt Ord,[62] Norwegian Festival of Literature in Lillehammer,[63] Brain Sneezing Gallery, Prešov, and Indian Institute of Cartoonist.[64][65]

Politics

edit

In 2018, Arifur Rahman became a member of the Socialist Left Party of Norway. He was elected deputy of the local party committee and was nominated as a candidate in the Frogn Municipality election 2019.[66]

Awards and achievements

edit
  • 2005, Arifur Rahman won third prize in the Pin Hunt put on by The Daily Prothom Alo’s periodical, Alpin (আলপিন).
  • 2006, he won third prize in the Anti-Corruption Cartoon Competition arranged by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
  • 2007, he won first prize in the Anti-Corruption Cartoon Competition arranged by The Daily Star.[8][9][2]
  • 2008, he won a special achievement award in the Anti-Corruption Cartoon Competition arranged by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
  • 2008, he won the special achievement award from Cartoonist Rights Network, International.
  • 2011, he won the special achievement award for the short animation film, Try.
  • 2015, Arif received the Cartoonist Pedro Memorial Grant from the Norwegian Artist Federation.[67]
  • 2015, the online magazine, Toons Mag, founded and edited by him, won The BOBs (Best of the Blogs) sponsored by Deutsche Welle for Best of Online Activism.[41][68][69]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Cartoonist Arif freed". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  2. ^ a b "Cartoons against corruption". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 2019-07-20. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  3. ^ "Arifur Rahman". ICORN international cities of refuge network. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  4. ^ a b c "ICORNs first cartoonist arrives in Drøbak City of Refuge". ICORN international cities of refuge network. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  5. ^ "Tema: Kvinners rettigheter: Moren ble barnebrud som 11-åring - nå tegner Arifur (31) for kvinners rettigheter". www.vg.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  6. ^ a b মায়ের অসহায়ত্ব তুলে ধরেছি কার্টুনে. Deutsche Welle (in Bengali). 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  7. ^ a b c "Arifur Rahman". lambiek.net. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  8. ^ a b "Cartoons against corruption". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 2019-07-20. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  9. ^ a b "Make young generation aware of graft effects". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 2019-07-20. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  10. ^ "Bangladeshi Cartoonist Arifur Rahman on Calling a Cat "Mohammad" | Sampsonia Way Magazine". Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  11. ^ "Violence over Bangladesh cartoon". 2007-09-21. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  12. ^ "Cartoonist Arif sent to jail". The Daily Star. 2007-09-20. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  13. ^ "Govt authorises DMP to sue cartoonist Arif". The Daily Star. 2007-09-21. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  14. ^ "Cartoonist arrested over harmless play on name Mohammed". IFEX. 2007-09-19. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  15. ^ a b "Bangladesh suspends magazine over controversial cartoon". Reuters. 2007-09-21. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  16. ^ a b "Police disperse protest march towards Prothom Alo". The Daily Star. 2007-09-22. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  17. ^ "Reaction to Aalpin cartoon". The Daily Star. 2007-09-20. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  18. ^ a b "Prothom Alo takes action against persons responsible". The Daily Star. 2007-09-19. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  19. ^ Greenslade, Roy (2007-09-20). "Bangladesh cartoonist arrested". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  20. ^ Bashar, Reazul. "Prothom Alo retracts story amid protests". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  21. ^ "Another apology, two cases and a notice on publisher". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  22. ^ "HC rules cartoonist Arif's detention illegal". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  23. ^ "Cartoonist released in Bangladesh". 2008-03-20. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  24. ^ "Court orders release of cartoonist Arif". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  25. ^ a b "Cartoonist Arif sentenced to two months". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  26. ^ a b c "Cartoonist Arif jailed". The Daily Star. 2009-11-12. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  27. ^ "Får endelig tegne hva han vil". Journalen (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  28. ^ a b Sigvartsen, Ana Leticia (2013-06-01). "Avistegning førte til fengsel". NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  29. ^ "Meld. St. 10 (2014-2015)". Regjeringen.no (in Norwegian). 2014-12-12. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  30. ^ "Maktelitens nye bibelord: Størst av alt er storleiken". Aftenbladet (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  31. ^ Aarsæter, Nils; Stensvaag, Per Gunnar (2016-11-09). "Regioner, realisme og regneferdighet". Bladet Vesterålen (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  32. ^ "REGIONER, REALISME OG REGNEFERDIGHET". www.an.no (in Norwegian). 2016-11-09. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  33. ^ "Løgner om kommunereformen". www.op.no (in Norwegian). 2016-10-03. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  34. ^ "Generasjon frustrasjon". www.amta.no (in Norwegian). 2016-03-18. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  35. ^ Freemuse. "Norway: Exhibition attacked; municipality allegedly tries to keep incident quiet". Freemuse. Archived from the original on 2018-06-14. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  36. ^ "Norway: cartoon exhibition attacked, cover-up alleged". CARTOONISTS RIGHTS NETWORK INTERNATIONAL. 2017-04-05. Archived from the original on 2019-07-20. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  37. ^ "Arifurs tegninger – og Arifurs frykt". www.amta.no (in Norwegian). 2017-03-10. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  38. ^ "Når sant skal sies - og det skal det jo". www.amta.no (in Norwegian). 2017-03-09. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  39. ^ Hjerpset-Østlie, Nina. "Føler seg ikke lenger trygg i fribyen Drøbak – kommunalt ansatte..." Human Rights Service (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  40. ^ "Arifur fortalte at han opplevde situasjonen som svært truende. Han føler seg ikke lenger trygg i Drøbak". www.amta.no (in Norwegian). 2017-03-08. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  41. ^ a b "Cartoonist Arifur Rahman awarded prize for best online activist". ICORN international cities of refuge network. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  42. ^ "El dibujante mexicano Antonio Rodríguez y su defensa de los valores humanos". Mundiario (in Spanish). Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  43. ^ "Världens satirtecknare lever farligt - P4 Östergötland". sverigesradio.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  44. ^ Segraeus, Sara (2014-12-06). "Jag förstod inte vilka konsekvenser serien skulle få". www.folkbladet.se. Archived from the original on 2019-07-20. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  45. ^ a b "Barn och krig". arbetetsmuseum (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 2019-07-05. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  46. ^ "Fribytegner stiller ut politiske tegninger på Nesodden". www.amta.no (in Norwegian). 2015-02-20. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  47. ^ "Children in War". ICORN international cities of refuge network. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  48. ^ "ICORN Cartoonist with exhibition in Drøbak". ICORN international cities of refuge network. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  49. ^ Madhukar, Jayanthi (February 27, 2016). "The feminist half". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  50. ^ "Pozvánka na výstavu - Správy - MZV MZV PORTAL". www.mzv.sk. Archived from the original on 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  51. ^ "Express Publications Indulge - Chennai dated Fri, 12 May 17". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  52. ^ Sätre, Trond (2017-06-12). "Politiske perspektiv • serienett.no". serienett.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  53. ^ "Kreslený humor je prejavom slobody". Výmenníky (in Slovak). 2017-08-20. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  54. ^ "Biskopen åpner utstilling i Drøbak om barns lidelser i krig". www.amta.no (in Norwegian). 2015-09-08. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  55. ^ a b "Tema: Kvinners rettigheter: Moren ble barnebrud som 11-åring - nå tegner Arifur (31) for kvinners rettigheter". www.vg.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  56. ^ Madhukar, Jayanthi (February 27, 2016). "The feminist half". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  57. ^ "Women's Rights in Cartoons". ICORN international cities of refuge network. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  58. ^ "Správy RTVS". rtvs.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  59. ^ "Pozvánka na výstavu - Správy - MZV MZV PORTAL". www.mzv.sk. Archived from the original on 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  60. ^ "Utstillingen "Women's Rights" på Avistegnernes Hus". www.frittord.no. Archived from the original on 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  61. ^ "Fra fengsel i hjemlandet til utstilling på Verket". www.eub.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Archived from the original on 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  62. ^ "Freedom of Expression - Museumstjenesten". mia.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  63. ^ "Freedom of Expression". Norsk Litteraturfestival. 2016-12-13. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  64. ^ "Express Publications Indulge - Chennai dated Fri, 12 May 17". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  65. ^ "Toons shall overcome: The fight for freedom of expression". www.indulgexpress.com. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
  66. ^ "Arifur Rahman runs for office". Cartoonists Rights Network International. 2019-07-17. Archived from the original on 2019-07-20. Retrieved 2019-08-24.
  67. ^ "Fribytegner Rahman fra Drøbak er tildelt Tegneforbundets stipend". www.amta.no (in Norwegian). 2015-10-19. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  68. ^ "People's Choice for Bengali - The Bobs - Best of Online Activism". Archived from the original on 2019-07-20. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  69. ^ "Drøbak-tegner Arifur Rahman kåret til beste aktivist på nett". www.amta.no (in Norwegian). 2015-05-04. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
edit
 
Wikiquote has quotations related to Arifur Rahman.
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arifur Rahman.
Retrieved from "https://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Arifur_Rahman&oldid=1252103722"