(From left) Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Dipu Moni; Artist Monirul Islam and Spanish Ambassador Arturo Perez Martinez. Photo: Shawkat Jamil

Artist Monirul Islam was conferred with the “Cross of officer of the Order of Queen Isabella” for his outstanding contribution to art on March 14. The award was handed to the artist at the Dhaka residence of the Spanish Ambassador to Bangladesh.
The Spanish Ambassador Arturo Perez Martinez formally handed over the medal and certificate to the artist. Among others, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Dipu Moni; Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder and chairman of BRAC; editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam; former CSP officer Nurul Islam; former foreign secretary Farooq Sobhan; art collector and publisher of Depart K Anis Moquit; painters Hashem Khan, Mahmudul Haq; French Ambassador to Bangladesh Charley Causeret; Subir Chowdhury, director of Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts and Bengal Group Chairman Abul Khair Litu were present at the event.
The artist's reaction: “I am elated to receive the award. This will encouraged me to be more devoted to my work. I dedicate this award to my mother who is now hospitalised. My special thanks to the people of Spain, the Queen and the Spanish Ambassador to Bangladesh.”
Spanish Ambassador Martinez said, “Monirul Islam has created a niche for himself in the Spanish art scene. He has attained much acclaim in the country. The artist is also a recipient of the National Award of Spain (1997).”
Monirul Islam was born in 1943. After graduating from Govt. College of Arts and Crafts (now faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka), he joined the college as a teacher (from 1966 to 1969). He went to Spain with a scholarship provided by the then Spanish Government, as part of a cultural exchange programme in 1969. The artist received the Accesit National Award of Spain from the Calcografia Nocionale in 1993. He has conducted many workshops in several countries. His works have been exhibited not only in Madrid, but also other prominent galleries in Europe and beyond.
About the award: The Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spanish: Orden de Isabel la Católica) is a Spanish civil order granted in recognition of services that benefit the country. The Order is not exclusive to Spaniards, and many foreigners have been awarded.
The Order was created on March 14, 1815 by King Ferdinand VII of Spain in honour of Queen Isabella. The latest reform of the Order dates back to 1998 with its rules and regulations.