Main FOBANA Convention in Los Angeles
Chhabed Sathee: Among the four FOBANA conventions being held in the United States, the attention of Bangladeshi expatriates has largely turned toward the convention in Los Angeles, California, as organizers describe it as the main FOBANA convention.
Cultural performers from more than 70 Bangladeshi organizations across the United States are preparing to present a wide variety of performances. Hundreds of artists and cultural workers from more than 23 states are expected to travel to Los Angeles beginning Friday, September 4.
Only four days remain until the 40th convention of the Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America (FOBANA), widely known as a major gathering of Bangladeshi expatriates in North America. The Bangladesh Association of California (BAC) is moving ahead with preparations in an effort to make the 40th FOBANA Convention a milestone event.
Under the theme, “Expatriate Bangladesh: Moving Forward with a Commitment to the Future,” organizers are expecting a distinctive convention featuring diverse cultural presentations and a broad range of programs.
Bangladesh’s Minister for Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, will attend this year’s convention as the chief guest. He arrived in Los Angeles last Saturday, August 29.
This year’s convention will feature discussions on human rights and socio-political issues, as well as preventive and clinical aspects of health and wellness. Other areas of focus will include engineering, science and artificial intelligence; the impact of technology on education, careers and communications; management, economics, entrepreneurship, markets and economic policy; and education, arts and culture.
Programs will also cover teaching, the creative industries, design, film, media and literature, along with heritage preservation, history, cultural identity and the engagement of Bangladeshi-Americans in the American mainstream. Youth and women’s organizations from different U.S. states are also expected to have significant participation in this year’s convention.
A group led by renowned singers Naquib Khan and Rabi Chowdhury will participate in the cultural programs. Colorful cultural performances will be held every evening throughout the three-day convention
The convention will also feature several important seminars, poetry sessions, literary discussions, a FOBANA book fair, a youth forum and networking events, discussions involving non-resident Bangladeshi businesspeople and entrepreneurs, scholarship awards for talented young students, exhibitions of handicrafts and a colorful fashion show.
Organizers are hopeful that approximately 5,000 to 7,000 Bangladeshi expatriates from different parts of the United States and Canada will attend the 40th FOBANA Convention in Los Angeles.
Officials of the 40th FOBANA Convention said that although California requires long-distance travel for many attendees, this year’s convention has already set a record for participating organizations. More than 70 organizations have confirmed their registration.
If everything proceeds as planned, participating artists and cultural groups are also expected to surpass previous records with their diverse performances at the convention, to be held from September 4–6 at Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, according to FOBANA Executive Committee Chairperson Rabiul Karim Belal and Executive Secretary Khaled Ahmed Rouf.
Convener of the 40th FOBANA Convention, Dr. Zainal Abedin, said preparations are nearly complete for the Labor Day weekend gathering.
The Bangladesh Association of California (BAC) is the host organization for this year’s convention. More than 100 volunteers serving on various subcommittees are working day and night alongside the host organization and the FOBANA Executive Committee to ensure the success of the event.
Dr. Abedin said the venue was selected with the goal of making this year’s convention a memorable chapter in FOBANA’s history. Universal City in Los Angeles is a major entertainment destination, combining history, modern attractions and cultural experiences.
Visitors and guests attending the convention will also have the opportunity to enjoy nearby Universal Studios Hollywood, including its famous Studio Tour, the magical world of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and the thrilling Fast & Furious attractions.
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