FOBANA Convention in Atlanta successful or unsuccessful?

Chhabed Sathee: The 39th convention of the Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America (FOBANA) concluded last Sunday (August 31) in Duluth, Georgia (Atlanta). On the second night of the convention, extreme mismanagement, irregularities, and harassment of attendees reached their peak. Hundreds of spectators felt humiliated after being threatened with arrest by police.

Due to the negligence of the organizers, the number of attendees far exceeded the auditorium’s seating capacity, leading Gwinnett County’s Fire Marshal to shut down Saturday’s program. Even many ticket holders could not enter despite purchasing tickets. When police threatened mass arrests of the crowd, attendees were left embarrassed and distressed.

On Sunday, the third night, artists and performers were repeatedly cut off mid-performance due to time shortages. As a result, singers who were scheduled to perform two songs could only sing one, while those promised three songs managed only two. Artists complained that they had prepaid for specific time slots, and being silenced in front of thousands of spectators left them deeply humiliated.

The 39th FOBANA convention was officially inaugurated Friday (August 29) evening at the Gas South Convention Center in downtown Duluth, 35 miles from Atlanta. The opening day’s program was colorful and vibrant, drawing remarkable participation from expatriates across North America. The venue turned into a “mini Bangladesh.” But the problems began on Saturday, the second day.

During Saturday’s (August 30) performance by “Aparageo Bangla” from Virginia, a backdrop displayed the message: “Hindu lives matter, Muslim lives matter, and all lives matter.” Following the performance, the convention’s convener Nahidul Khan Sahel came on stage and criticized the performers, saying FOBANA is a non-political organization and politics has no place in the event. Artists said they felt insulted.

The following day, the issue was raised in FOBANA’s annual general meeting, where Apojeo Bangla leader Shampa Shree and others demanded an explanation. In response, Sahel again referred to the matter as political.

In reply to a question from this reporter, Sahel said: “Political slogans and images of politicians were shown in the video. FOBANA is a non-political organization, and it is my responsibility to object to such displays.” He noted that a picture of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had been displayed, but not one of Ziaur Rahman, the “proclaimer of independence,” which triggered outrage from local BNP leaders. The Georgia BNP organized a protest meeting demanding Sahel’s immediate resignation from his post as FOBANA convener.

When former FOBANA executive committee chairperson Masud Rob Chowdhury was asked about the demand for Sahel’s expulsion, he said, “That is not accurate.” Former executive secretary Abir Alamgir also denied the claim, saying: “I chaired the general meeting myself. I am not aware of any such demand. I don’t know who is spreading such false information.”

Meanwhile, the newly elected chairperson of the 40th FOBANA executive committee, Robiul Karim Belal, confirmed that the matter was indeed discussed in the meeting, and that he personally heard Sahel’s announcement Saturday night. He also noted that no journalists were allowed into the general meeting, raising the question of how the information leaked. “The issue is under investigation, so no reports should be published yet,” he added.

On Sunday evening, hundreds of spectators were effectively held hostage at the entrance under heavy security. Such incidents had not occurred in FOBANA’s 38-year history, but they happened this time in Atlanta’s 39th convention. The event drew little response from the broader Georgia community, and frustration grew among Atlanta’s Bangladeshi diaspora. Many accused the organizers of assigning key responsibilities only to family members, relatives, and shop employees, turning the event into a “family FOBANA convention,” unlike any previous one.

This year’s convention featured special services from the Bangladesh Consulate General, advertised as organized by the Bangladesh Association of Georgia. However, no members of the association were actually involved, leading many to call it a false promotion using the association’s name.

The three-day convention was hosted by the Atlanta-based cultural group “Bangla Dhara,” though locals noted that the group had shown no activity in the past decade. According to FOBANA leaders, a total of 74 organizations from 24 cities across North America participated in this year’s convention.

In a statement last Wednesday (September 3), member secretary of the 39th FOBANA convention Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiya admitted: “Not all programs in the Atlanta convention were flawless. I personally apologize for some unintentional mistakes, minor mismanagements, and unexpected incidents.” He acknowledged the presence of errors, disorder, and unwanted events.

Atlanta Journalists Did Not Receive Invitations

Although this reporter, along with many journalists from New York and other states, attended the 39th FOBANA Convention in Atlanta, local Atlanta-based journalists Shikdar Monzilur Rahman, Rumi Kabir, A.H. Russell Khan, and Nur Bhuiya did not receive any official invitations.

Even 39 years, No seating arrangements for Journalists at FOBANA Convention

Even 39 years, the Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America (FOBANA) Convention has not arranged a designated seating area for journalists. Reporters, photographers, and videographers are forced to carry out their duties mostly while standing. If any of them take seats in the first or second rows, they are often asked to leave—either politely or by security personnel. Despite this issue being raised with the authorities every year, it has always been ignored.

On the second day of the convention, Saturday (August 30), in Atlanta, Georgia, 39th FOBANA Convention member secretary Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiya asked a journalist to vacate his chair and move elsewhere. Later, that journalist had to sit on the corridor floor to continue working. Organizers appeared more concerned with accommodating sponsors than recognizing the role of the press. At one point, another staff member even asked a sponsor from Virginia to vacate his seat, stating that only sponsors who had contributed over $10,000 were entitled to those chairs. The sponsor objected, saying, ‘I am a sponsor as well,‘ but was eventually forced to leave without further dispute.