A 10-day photo exhibition of documentary photographer Greg Constantine on Rohingya refugees titled ‘Ek Kale: Once Upon A Time’ ended at the BRAC University at Merul Badda in Dhaka on Thursday.
The exhibition was organised by the Centre for Peace and Justice of BRAC University and curated by Greg Constantine, a documentary photographer, author and visual journalist known for his work on human rights, injustice and inequality, said a press release.
Through compelling visual storytelling, dialogue and collaborative sessions, Constantine sought to promote a deeper understanding of the Rohingya community—their history, identity and the complex challenges they continue to face.
Addressing the exhibition’s opening ceremony, Constantine said that Rohingyas were now defined by a legacy of displacement, victimhood and violence—suffering the loss and confiscation of their heritage.
‘With support from Rohingyas from 11 countries, this exhibition tries to reconstruct and reimagine the lives left behind since the crackdown on the community in Myanmar,’ he said.
 BRAC University vice-chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar said, ‘What we do at BRAC University through exhibitions like this is use photography to reflect on what lies ahead.’
‘We do not want a world built on exclusion and injustice. We want to learn from differences. I only wish we had Rohingya community members here to directly share their stories,’ he said.
Addressing as chief guest, Michael Miller, ambassador and head of delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, described the exhibition as a timely reminder of global responsibility.
‘It is an awful reality. The Rohingyas live in the world’s largest refugee camp while their identity continues to be denied and distorted for decades,’ he said.
Addressing the closing ceremony, James Goldman, British deputy high commissioner and development director to Bangladesh, said that he was moved by the exhibition, which shed light on the importance of preserving memory and amplifying voices of the oppressed.
Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, refugee relief and repatriation commissioner, said that the Rohingya were going through a process of dehumanisation and the exhibition acted as an eye-opener.
Khairul Basher, director of the office of communications at BRAC University, informed that over 5,000 people had visited the exhibition while global media had also picked it up for widespread coverage.
Three school students were also presented awards for their posters featuring the exhibition.
BRAC University treasurer Ariful Islam; registrar David Dowland; Tahsina Rahman, joint director of Student Life; Manzoor Hasan OBE, executive director of the CPJ; and students and faculty members from six schools and 10 universities were present.
