Hundreds Attend Family-Friendly Event at World’s Fair Marina; Three Distinguished Community Figures Honored
Husneara Choudhury | New York:
The Bangladeshi-American community of New York came together in a celebration of friendship, culture, and unity as the Jackson Heights Community hosted its much-anticipated Annual Barbecue Party at World’s Fair Marina in Queens on Monday, August 3, 2026. The event once again transformed the scenic waterfront into a vibrant gathering place for families, friends, and community leaders from across the metropolitan area.
The daylong celebration attracted a large crowd, including business leaders, mainstream political figures, physicians, attorneys, journalists, writers, artists, community activists, and residents from all walks of life. Guests enjoyed an afternoon filled with delicious barbecue, socializing, raffle drawings, family activities, and a lively cultural program, making the event one of the most anticipated community gatherings of the year.
The program opened with welcoming remarks from Jackson Heights Community President Sakil Mia, General Secretary Md. Alam Nomi, Barbecue Committee Convener Shah J. Chowdhury, and Member Secretary Mohiuddin Rahman, who thanked attendees for their continued support and emphasized the importance of strengthening unity, friendship, and cultural ties among Bangladeshi-Americans.
The event was energetically hosted by Mia Mohammad Dulal, with Md. Sarwar, Kamruzzaman Bokul, and Aftab Jony joining as co-hosts throughout the program. Their engaging presentations, combined with live musical performances featuring patriotic, modern, and popular Bangla songs, kept the audience entertained throughout the day.
Among those addressing the gathering were prominent businessman, mainstream political leader, philanthropist, and President & CEO of Golden Age Home Care, Shah Newaz; mainstream political leader and prominent businessman Fahad Suleman; President of the Bangladesh Society of New York, Ataur Rahman Selim; General Secretary Mohammad Ali; founding former President of the Jackson Heights Community, Mir Nizamul Haque; community leader Dulal Behedu; Attorney Moin Chowdhury; and several other distinguished members of the Bangladeshi-American community. Speakers highlighted the importance of preserving cultural identity, promoting community engagement, and strengthening bonds among Bangladeshi immigrants living in the United States.
One of the highlights of the event was a special awards ceremony recognizing individuals for their outstanding contributions to both the Bangladeshi community and society at large. This year’s honorees were legendary singer and cultural icon Rathindranath Roy, distinguished businessman Shah Newaz, and community leader Md. Jahid. The recipients expressed their gratitude and encouraged continued collaboration to strengthen and uplift the community.
With delicious food, live entertainment, raffle prizes, and the joyful reunion of familiar faces, the annual barbecue once again became a celebration of community spirit. Participants described the gathering as “a little piece of Bangladesh in New York,” reflecting the warmth, friendship, and cultural heritage that continue to unite Bangladeshi-Americans across generations.
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