Transparency, legal assistance, inclusion of the younger generation and community welfare highlighted as key priorities
Humayun Kabir Dhali, New York
As the upcoming election of Bangladesh Society Inc. draws closer, activity and discussion within the Bangladeshi-American community in New York are intensifying. The Selim-Ali Panel, led by presidential candidate Ataur Rahman Selim and general secretary candidate Mohammad Ali, has pledged to prioritize unity, progress, transparency and community service.
For more than five decades, Bangladesh Society has played an important role in preserving Bengali language, culture and heritage in the diaspora, promoting social harmony, and supporting community members during times of need. The organization has also contributed to legal and civic assistance, social welfare, and efforts to connect younger generations with Bangladesh’s history and cultural heritage.
Seeking to make the organization more dynamic and responsive to the changing needs of the community, the Selim-Ali Panel has presented a platform based on the long-standing expectations and concerns of expatriate Bangladeshis.
According to members of the panel, significant support has emerged within the community ahead of the election. As part of that momentum, the Greater Noakhali Society USA, one of the prominent regional organizations in the diaspora, has formally announced its support for presidential candidate Ataur Rahman Selim and general secretary candidate Mohammad Ali and their panel.
The Selim-Ali Panel expressed gratitude for the endorsement, describing it as an important expression of confidence in their leadership. Panel leaders said the support has further strengthened their sense of responsibility and accountability toward the community.
Hasan Jilani, the panel’s School and Education Affairs Secretary, said, “United support is our strength to move forward.” He said the panel seeks to work with regional and mainstream community organizations to build a more inclusive, effective and united Bangladesh Society.
Key Priorities of the Selim-Ali Panel
Financial transparency and accountability are among the panel’s stated priorities. The panel has pledged to establish effective and transparent financial management so that community donations and funds allocated for social services are utilized appropriately.
The panel also plans to prioritize legal assistance for Bangladeshi immigrants, support for those facing immigration-related challenges, and greater participation of Bangladeshi Americans in mainstream civic and political affairs.
Another key objective is to encourage greater participation by the younger generation and women in the organization’s activities, with the goal of creating a modern, dynamic and inclusive community.
The panel has also pledged to make assistance more accessible and efficient for families dealing with the death of a Bangladeshi community member, including support with repatriating remains to Bangladesh or arranging local burial services.
On the cultural front, the panel has proposed organizing regular Victory Day and Independence Day celebrations, Boishakhi festivals, cultural programs, concerts and literary gatherings. The objective, according to the panel, is to strengthen Bengali cultural practices in New York while helping younger generations learn the history and heritage of Bangladesh.
The panel has further pledged to rise above regional and political divisions and bring Bangladeshis from all backgrounds together on a common platform, with the goal of establishing Bangladesh Society as a true “home for all expatriate Bangladeshis.”
Supporters of the panel say the long-standing community involvement of Ataur Rahman Selim and Mohammad Ali, their accessibility during times of crisis, and their commitment to community service have helped build confidence among many expatriate Bangladeshis.
They believe growing participation from voters and endorsements from various social and regional organizations could strengthen the panel’s position in the upcoming election.
Ultimately, however, the outcome will be determined by the voters. The Bangladesh Society election is therefore shaping up to be more than a contest for leadership—it is also being viewed as an important opportunity to determine the future direction of representation, unity, community service and leadership for Bangladeshi New Yorkers.
