Bangladesh Society Holds Coordination Meeting Ahead of South Asian Unity Parade (SAUP) 2026 in New York
One Region • One Culture • One Future
Grand South Asian Cultural Parade to Take Place on August 9
Staff Reporter, New York: The Bangladesh Society, the largest umbrella organization of Bangladeshi expatriates in the United States, has held a coordination meeting in preparation for the South Asian Unity Parade (SAUP) 2026. The meeting was held on Tuesday, July 7, at Gulshan Terrace in New York, organized by the event committee. The session was presided over by Shah M. Nawaz, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bangladesh Society, and was attended by prominent community leaders, representatives of social, cultural, and professional organizations, as well as members of the media.
Representing the organizers at the meeting were Trustee Board Member Azharul Haque Milan, General Secretary Mohammad Ali, Senior Vice President Mohiuddin Dewan, Vice President Kamruzzaman, and Chief Coordinator of the parade Shah Shahidul Haque. Also present were local community leaders including Sakil Mia, President of Jackson Heights Residents Association, General Secretary Zed Alam Nomi, President of JBBA Harun Bhuiyan, and President of Chittagong Association Maksudul Haque Chowdhury, among many other distinguished members of the community.
The organizers announced that it is a matter of great pride that Bangladesh has been selected as the host country for this year’s South Asian Unity Parade, with the Bangladesh Society serving as the host organization. The colorful parade will take place on Sunday, August 9, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM along 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, stretching from 69th Street to 87th Street.
The theme of this year’s parade has been set as: “One Region • One Culture • One Future.”
Speakers emphasized that despite differences in language, culture, and nationality, a stronger and more united community can be built through mutual respect, harmony, and unity. This event aims to serve as a grand cultural convergence of South Asia, bringing together seven nations—Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and the Maldives—under one platform. Members of these communities will participate in the parade showcasing their rich traditions, heritage, and cultural diversity in vibrant displays.
For this historic event, Senior Vice President of Bangladesh Society, Md. Mohiuddin Dewan, is serving as Convener, Vice President Mohammad Zaman as Member Secretary, and Shah Shahidul Haque as Chief Coordinator. Overall supervision is being provided by Chairman Shah M. Nawaz, President Ataur Rahman (Selim), and General Secretary Mohammad Ali. Members of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee are working collectively, alongside representatives from participating countries. A full committee including international representatives will be announced soon.
As Bangladesh is the host country this year, its glorious history, rich culture, and heritage will be prominently showcased on the global stage. However, organizers stressed that the event is not limited to Bangladesh alone; rather, it is a unique celebration of all South Asian communities. In addition to the vibrant parade, the event will feature cultural performances, traditional attire exhibitions, authentic South Asian cuisine, and various cultural presentations.
The Bangladesh Society will extend invitations to respected elected officials at the city, state, and federal levels to attend the event. Furthermore, all social, cultural, professional, sports, business, and youth organizations have been invited to participate in unity.
In the concluding part of the meeting, the সভাপতি and other leaders praised the media for their continued support, noting that such a large-scale event cannot be successfully organized by a single entity alone. It requires the collective effort of the entire community. Special appreciation was expressed to journalists and media professionals, with a request to widely share the message of unity and harmony.
The meeting concluded with a heartfelt call for everyone to join this historic parade on August 9 with family and friends and be part of this grand celebration of South Asian unity.
