M. Rahman Zahir elected FOBANA chairman, Dr. Priyalal executive secretary
M. Rahman Zahir of South Florida has been elected chairman of the Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America (FOBANA) for the 2026–2027 term. Dr. Priyalal Karmakar of Virginia has been elected executive secretary.
In the newly formed executive committee, Abir Alamgir of New York was elected vice chairman, Anthony Pius Gomez of Virginia joint secretary, and Nahida Yasmin of Houston treasurer. S.I. Jewel of the Bangladesh Association of Florida has also joined the 29-member executive committee.
Zahir has been living in South Florida for many years and has served as president of the Bangladesh Association of Florida. He is also the principal organizer of the Asian Expo Food Fair and Cultural Show, a long-running event held at the South Florida Fairgrounds for the past 30 years. He previously served as FOBANA senior vice chairman and in several other leadership positions.
Zahir will lead the 41st FOBANA Convention, scheduled to be held in Houston in 2027.
A large delegation from South Florida, led by Zahir, attended this year’s FOBANA event in Los Angeles. The delegation included Rana Khan, Mim Khan, Jewel Sadat, Mujib Uddin and Mrs. Mujib Uddin, Arif Ahmed Ashraf, S.I. Jewel, Tamanna Ahmed, Manzur Chowdhury, Masuda Islam Popy, Marina Majumder and Maisha Ahmed.
At the convention, Babul Hai, president of the Bangladesh Foundation of Central Florida, was selected as an “Outstanding Member.” Pabel Ahmed is serving as the convener of the 2027 FOBANA Convention in Houston.
Following Zahir’s election as chairman, various Bangladeshi-American social and cultural organizations across North America congratulated him. Community members expressed hope that FOBANA will continue to strengthen its organizational activities under his leadership.
