Celebration of Active Bangladeshi American Participation in Mainstream U.S. Politics: New American Youth Forum, Democratic Club and Women’s Forum Host Colorful Meet & Greet and Honors Ceremony in New York
Progga News Desk:
With the goal of further strengthening the political, social, and organizational advancement of the Bangladeshi American community in New York, the New American Youth Forum, New American Democratic Club, and New American Women’s Forum jointly hosted a grand Annual Dinner and Meet & Greet program.
The colorful event was held on the evening of January 11 at Gulshan Terrace in Woodside, Queens, bringing together a large gathering of mainstream U.S. politicians, elected officials, and prominent members of the Bangladeshi American community.
The program began with the national anthems of the United States and Bangladesh, performed by renowned singer Alvan Chowdhury. All attendees stood in respect during the anthems. The event was jointly emceed by Nusrat Alam, President of the New American Youth Forum, and Ahnaf Alam, newly elected President of the New American Democratic Club. The welcome address was delivered by the organization’s Founding President, Morshed Alam.
Greeting remarks were delivered by U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng; New York State Senators Leroy Comrie and John Liu; New York State Assembly Members Jessica González-Rojas, Steven Raga, and Catalina Cruz; New York City Council Members Linda Lee, Sandra Ung, and Shekar Krishnan; and Deputy Mayor and Council Member of Franklin Township, New Jersey, Shepa Uddin, along with many other mainstream political leaders. Additional speakers included community and political leader Maf Mibah Uddin; businessman and political leader Fahad Solaiman; Queens Democratic Party District Leader at Large, Attorney Moin Chowdhury; District Leader Dr. Dilip Nath; Republican Party member Nasir Ali Khan Paul; veteran journalist Syed Mohammad Ullah; Freedom Fighter Golam Mostafa Khan Meraj; Democratic Party State Committee Member Jamila Uddin; and Ibrahim Chowdhury Khokon, Editor of Weekly Prothom Alo North America, among others.
Speakers gratefully acknowledged the pivotal role of Morshed Alam in guiding and expanding the participation of Bangladeshi Americans in mainstream U.S. politics. They emphasized that organized political engagement is essential for strengthening the community’s voice, rights, and representation. The speakers also praised the significant social, economic, and civic contributions of the Bangladeshi American community.
As recognition of outstanding contributions in public service, politics, business, and humanitarian work, honors were presented to ten distinguished individuals and organizations. The honorees included New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams; Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas; Ayesha Siddika Nawrin; prominent businessman and President of the Dhaka District Association, Dulal Behedu; Mia Bashar; Md. Zainal Abedin; Mohammad Jahangir Alam; Amin Mehdi; Melina Sharmin; and Freedom Fighter Faruk Hossain. In addition, Special Certificates were awarded to Md. Ahsan Uddin (Ehsan Jewel) and the Autism Society Habilitation Organization (ASHO).
Expressing gratitude to all attendees for their presence and support were Founding and Executive Chief of the New American Democratic Club Morshed Alam; President Ahnaf Alam; President of the New American Youth Forum Nusrat Alam; President of the New American Women’s Forum Advocate Rubaiya Rahman; Executive Advisor Professor Husne Ara; and organizers Rabbi Syed, Anjam Siddiki Rafi, J. Molla Sunny, Japnit Singh, Vice President Mushrat Shaheen Anubha, Shah Faruk, and other leaders.
Notably, the event drew a large and diverse turnout from across the Bangladeshi American community, alongside mainstream elected officials, sending a strong message of unity, empowerment, and growing political strength of Bangladeshi Americans in New York.
Source: Photos and information from porichoy.
