Noman Sabit: None of the Bangladeshi diplomats assigned to the United States were invited to the unveiling of the nameplate of ‘Bangladesh Street’ in New York, USA. On the occasion of Bangladesh’s 53rd Independence and National Day on Sunday (March 26), a street nameplate named ‘Bangladesh Street’ in Bangladeshi-dominated Jackson Heights was unveiled. Hundreds of expatriates including New York City authorities attended the event, but no New York and Washington DC diplomats were seen. Various speculations are going on among the expatriates.
In response to a question as to why the diplomats of Bangladesh posted in the United States were not invited, when the officials of the Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association (JBBA), who claimed the proposal to name the street of Jackson Heights as ‘Bangladesh Street’, were contacted, they said that it is the responsibility of the city authorities to invite the ambassadors of Bangladesh posted in the United States. There was nothing for us to do here, the whole arrangement of the event was done by the concerned councilmen. It is their responsibility to invite. However, they feel that the ambassadors of Bangladesh should have been invited. Many of the aware expatriates feel that they did not go to the unveiling ceremony of a street named ‘Bangladesh Street’ because they were not properly invited by the concerned authorities of New York City.
Several attempts to contact Mohammad Imran, the Bangladesh ambassador in Washington DC, could not be reached, but a source in his office said they had not received an invitation from New York City authorities, nor had any Bangladeshi community leaders informed them.
An attempt was made to contact Mohammad Abdul Muhith, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York. When he spoke to an official of his office, he said that he did not know anything about it. Press Secretary Nasir was not available when called later.
Consul General of New York When Dr. Mohammad Monirul Islam was contacted, he said that he had not received any invitation from the New York City authorities or the Bangladeshi community leaders. As a result, he did not go to the event.
Why was the Bangladesh ambassador to the United States not invited even though the date of unveiling the nameplate was announced after beating the drums for almost two months. There are many rumors going on in the Bangladeshi community. Who is responsible for this? There is a lively discussion in the community about Bangladeshi leaders or New York City authorities.
Shekar Krishnan, the newly elected city councilman of Jackson Heights and Elmhurst area, who is of subcontinental origin, unveiled the nameplate of Bangladesh Street at 2 pm last Sunday. Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association (JBBA) former and present officials including leaders of various political and social organizations were present at the time. No government officials from the Bangladesh Embassy in New York were present as they were not properly invited.
For almost a year, the Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association (JBBA) former and current officials have been carrying out social activities including contacting the New York City authorities for the naming of a street in Jackson Heights as ‘Bangladesh Street’ but none of them were allowed to speak at the opening ceremony. Sometimes there is a lot of anger. Not only that, even though the social, cultural and political leaders were present, the organizers did not give them a chance to speak. New York residents were shocked by this incident. Even the event was moderated by a man involved in labor unions who did not live in Jackson Heights. Which has created a lot of anger among the expatriates present.
New York Congresswoman Grace Meng, Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz, Steven Raghab, Council Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Assemblyman Steven Raga, Council Member Linda Lee, JBBA Current President Haroon Bhuiya and General Secretary Fahad Solaiman, among others, were present at the Bangladesh Street plaque unveiling ceremony. JBBA President Ghiyas Ahmed, General Secretary Tarek Hasan Khan along with hundreds of Bangladeshis were present on the occasion.
BP/SM
