Staff Correspondent: The Jalalabad Association of America Inc., one of the leading social organisations representing people from greater Sylhet living in the United States, hosted its much-anticipated ‘Summer Bash’ in a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

The event brought together Bangladeshi expatriates from Sylhet and their families, creating a lively gathering aimed at preserving cultural traditions, strengthening community bonds and promoting friendship and harmony among the expatriate community.

The programme was organised under the overall leadership of Association President Moinul Islam and General Secretary Ataul Gani Asad. A dedicated celebration committee worked to ensure the smooth and successful execution of the event.

The committee was led by Convener Sheikh Jamal Hossain, Chief Convener Laies Ahmed (Minu), Chief Coordinator Moin Uz Zaman Chowdhury, and Member Secretary Helim Uddin. Kamrul Hossain and Shahinul Islam served as Joint Member Secretaries. Other members of the celebration committee included A. Rahim (Kadir), Zainal Uddin Layek, Masuk Mia, Syed Lokman, Badrul Uddin, and Dewan Md. Tazzir.

Taking a break from their busy lives in the United States, expatriate Bangladeshis attended the Summer Bash with their families in large numbers. The event featured social gatherings, friendly conversations, family activities, colourful stalls and a vibrant cultural programme.

The cultural segment featured popular artists from Bangladesh, the United Kingdom and the local Bangladeshi community, who entertained the audience with a variety of songs. Performers included Selim Chowdhury, Rizia Parvin, Kamruzzaman Bakul, Wahid from London, Shah Mahbub, Baul Kala Mia, Nasir Uddin, Roksana Mirza, Nazu Akand, Aftab Johnny, Silma, and Apu Rahman’s group.

The event was further energised by the event management and sound system provided by Soundgear, contributing to the overall festive atmosphere. Around 20 colourful stalls were also set up at the venue, attracting considerable attention from visitors. The stalls added a fair-like dimension to the celebration and provided another attraction for families attending the programme.

According to the organisers, one of the main objectives of the event was to introduce the younger generation of expatriate Bangladeshis to their cultural heritage, traditions and roots. The organisers also emphasised the importance of such gatherings in strengthening social connections and fostering unity among the greater Sylhet community in the United States.

Through the collective efforts of the celebration committee and the enthusiastic participation of expatriate Bangladeshis, the Jalalabad Association of America’s ‘Summer Bash’ became a memorable celebration of Sylheti culture, community and togetherness.

New York Correspondent: The US Awami League and its affiliated organisations staged a protest rally and procession in New York on Tuesday evening against the death sentences handed down by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-2 against seven Awami League and affiliated-organisation leaders, including Awami League General Secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader.

The protest was held at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights on Tuesday (September 15). Following the rally, protesters marched through nearby streets carrying banners and placards. Leaders and activists of the US Awami League, US Chhatra League, Volunteer League, Labour League, Mohila Awami League, New York State Awami League and New York Metropolitan Awami League took part in the programme.

Several national-level Awami League leaders and former lawmakers were also present, according to organisers. They included former Water Resources Minister and former Awami League Organising Secretary Enamul Haque Shamim, Awami League Publicity and Social Welfare Secretary Aminul Islam Amin, former State Minister and former lawmaker Mohammad Zahid Ahsan Russel, and former lawmaker and former Bangladesh Chhatra League General Secretary Nazrul Islam Babu.

US Awami League President Dr. Siddiqur Rahman and General Secretary Abdus Samad Azad, along with leaders from different levels of the organisation, also attended the programme.

The protesters carried banners and placards rejecting the tribunal’s verdict. The organisers described the cases against the party leaders as politically motivated and characterised the verdict as an act of political retaliation and a predetermined judicial process. These are the political claims of the US Awami League and the protesters.

At the rally, speakers expressed their opposition to the tribunal’s verdict and called for its cancellation. They also called for due legal process and justice, arguing that political disputes should not determine judicial outcomes.

Seven Sentenced to Death by Tribunal

Earlier on Tuesday, International Crimes Tribunal-2 sentenced seven people to death in a crimes-against-humanity case related to the July-August 2024 mass uprising in Bangladesh.

Those sentenced to death are Awami League General Secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader; Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim; former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat; Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash; Jubo League General Secretary Md Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil; Bangladesh Chhatra League President Md Saddam Hossain; and its General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan.

The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, delivered the verdict on Tuesday. The seven accused were tried in absentia and remain at large, according to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

The prosecution had accused the seven of involvement in crimes against humanity during the July 2024 mass uprising, including murder, attempted murder, torture, incitement, conspiracy and other acts. The tribunal ruled that the charges against the accused had been proved beyond reasonable doubt. Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam also said after the verdict that most of the charges had been proved beyond reasonable doubt.

The tribunal also ordered the confiscation of 50 percent of the movable and immovable properties of Obaidul Quader, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Mohammad Ali Arafat, Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil. It directed that proceeds from the sale of the confiscated properties be used to compensate people killed or injured during the July-August 2024 uprising or their families.

The defence had previously argued before the tribunal that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

The New York protest came hours after the tribunal announced its verdict in Dhaka, bringing the latest political and judicial developments in Bangladesh into the streets of Jackson Heights, home to a large Bangladeshi-American community.

New York Correspondent: The upcoming election of the Bangladesh Society of New York, one of the largest organizations representing Bangladeshi immigrants in the United States, has become a major topic of discussion within New York’s Bangladeshi community. The election is scheduled for October 25, with approximately 35,000 members expected to be eligible to vote.

Candidates submitted their nomination papers on Sunday, September 6, at Queens Palace in Queens amid a festive atmosphere. More than a thousand supporters and activists attended the event, carrying banners and posters supporting their respective candidates and panels. Supporters also chanted slogans in favor of their preferred candidates.

The election is shaping up as a competitive contest between two major camps. The current president of the Bangladesh Society, Ataur Rahman Selim, and General Secretary Mohammad Ali are leading one panel. Challenging them are Azmal Hossain Kunu for president and Firoz Ahmed for general secretary.

Interestingly, both candidates contesting for the presidency are originally from Sylhet, Bangladesh, and are business partners in a restaurant business in New York. Despite their business partnership, they are now facing each other as political rivals in the community organization’s election. Syed Fazle Rabbi has submitted his nomination papers as the only independent candidate for the position of general secretary.

The Election Commission accepted nomination papers from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Chief Election Commissioner Abu Naser presided over the nomination process, assisted by Election Commissioners Badrul Hossain Khan, Shamsuddin Azad, Ruhul Amin Sarkar, Ahbab Chowdhury, Mithu Hamid and Mia Mohammad Dulal.

According to the Election Commission, nearly 300,000 Bangladeshis live in New York, while approximately 35,000 people have become members of the Bangladesh Society. Membership required a $20 fee, generating approximately $700,000 in membership revenue for the organization.

A total of 21 positions will be contested in this year’s election. Nomination fees range from $2,000 to $6,000, depending on the position. The nomination fee for president is $6,000, while candidates for general secretary must pay $5,000. Candidates running for member positions are required to pay a $2,000 nomination fee.

The unusually high nomination fees have sparked considerable discussion within the community. Many observers say the amount required to run for office in a nonprofit community organization is notable, particularly when compared with the overall cost of participating in the election.

The presidential and general secretary nomination fees of $6,000 and $5,000, respectively, have drawn particular attention. Beyond nomination fees, candidates and their supporters are expected to spend significant amounts on campaign activities, meetings and rallies, posters, banners, social media promotion and other election-related activities.

As a result, the Bangladesh Society election is increasingly being viewed as one of the most expensive community elections in the history of New York’s Bangladeshi community, particularly in terms of nomination and campaign expenses.

The final outcome will be determined through voting on October 25. As election day approaches, campaign activities are expected to intensify, with competing panels and candidates increasing their outreach and mobilization efforts across the community.