At the beginning of this year, the Asian Ladies Friendship Society was formally renamed the Asia-Pacific Ladies Friendship Society. "This name better reflects the society's present composition," said Mrs. Rebeka Majid, wife of the ambassador of Bangladesh.
She refers to 24 member countries that, stretching from New Zealand to Pakistan, extend boundaries. "The Japanese name remains unchanged, however, and the acronym ALFS remains the same." This is important to Majid, who as this year's chairwoman of the ALFS Festival Committee is concerned that there be no confusion. She is intent that the 2001 festival should be as successful as previous ones have been.
Majid's home country is a young nation with an ancient background and considerable variety in its history. Some people know Bangladesh best for its abiding monuments from the period of Mogul splendor. Some remember it for its arts and handicrafts, especially its silk-embroidered muslins, and its cotton and jute products.