Eid Eve Celebration Brings Festive Spirit to Jackson Heights with Steven Raga Joining Bangladeshi Community
Progga News Desk :
Jackson Heights in New York City came alive with vibrant energy on the eve of Eid, as thousands of Bangladeshi Americans gathered to celebrate Chand Raat in a festive and culturally rich atmosphere. On Thursday night, March 19, 2026, around 8:00 PM, Democratic Assemblymember from District 30 and State Senate District 12 candidate Steven Raga joined the community to share in the joy of the occasion.
Raga greeted attendees with warm Eid wishes and took part in the celebration by singing the beloved Eid song “Romzaner Oi Rozar Sheshe Elo Khushir Din,” creating a heartfelt and memorable moment. His engagement with the crowd added to the spirit of unity and celebration, as hundreds of attendees joined in singing and enjoying the festive night.
Among those present were community leaders and organizers, including Mujahid Ansari, convener of the Combined Pohela Boishakh and Mangal Shobhajatra Celebration Council, cultural secretary Sabina Hai Urbi; cultural personality and organizer Mahmud Kajol, community leader Abu Zafar Mahmud, Community and Union Leader Rafiqur Rahman (Milon), editor of Weekly Sandhan Sanjiban Kumar, and Uttam Kumar Saha, editor and publisher of Progya News.
The streets of 73rd and 74th Streets along 37th Avenue were filled with people from diverse backgrounds, including Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Indians, and others, turning the neighborhood into a multicultural hub of celebration. Shops remained open late into the night, drawing large crowds eager to shop for Eid clothing, jewelry, bangles, perfumes, sweets, and other festive items.
Special Eid promotions, live henna (mehndi) art, street performances, and pop-up stalls added to the excitement. Local restaurants were packed with families and friends enjoying post-iftar gatherings, contributing to the lively atmosphere.
Visitors also traveled from outside New York to experience the celebration. Nasreen Ahmed, a senior legal immigration consultant from Buffalo, expressed her excitement, saying, “I’m truly amazed to see so many Bangladeshis gathered together—singing, socializing, and celebrating. The energy, the crowds, the shopping, and the packed restaurants—it’s a beautiful experience.” She extended Eid greetings to all.
Mohammad Ali, General Secretary of a Bangladeshi community organization, also conveyed Eid শুভেচ্ছা, emphasizing the importance of such gatherings in preserving cultural heritage and strengthening community bonds among the diaspora.
Overall, this year’s Chand Raat celebration in Jackson Heights stood out as a joyful and unforgettable event, showcasing the rich cultural traditions, unity, and festive spirit of the Bangladeshi-American community.
