Selim-Ali Panel Gains Support Ahead of Bangladesh Society Election in New York
The Selim-Ali panel has received support from expatriate Bangladeshis at a gathering organized by Bangladesh Assembly of USA Inc. ahead of the upcoming Bangladesh Society Inc. election in New York, scheduled for October 25, 2026.
The meeting and reception took place on Sunday evening, October 4, at Star Kabab Restaurant in Jamaica, Queens. Members of the full Selim-Ali panel, prospective voters and members of the local Bangladeshi community attended the event.
Bangladesh Assembly of USA President Shamim Hasan and General Secretary Muhammad Islam Kolim explained why their organization supports the panel. They described Bangladesh Society as an important source of support for expatriate Bangladeshis and credited the committee led by Ataur Rahman Selim and Mohammad Ali with contributing to legal assistance for community members, addressing housing challenges and helping younger generations connect with mainstream American society.
They said maintaining unity within the diaspora and continuing ongoing development initiatives were among the key reasons for supporting the panel.
Speaking as the panel’s candidates for president and general secretary, Ataur Rahman Selim and Mohammad Ali thanked the attendees for their support. They pledged that, if re-elected, they would transform Bangladesh Society into a more modern, digitally accessible platform.
The candidates also promised to introduce mentorship programs to improve technical skills and employment opportunities for newly arrived immigrants. They further committed to expanding opportunities for the practice and promotion of Bangladeshi culture at the organization’s own building.
Other candidates introduced themselves and exchanged views with voters during the event. Those in attendance included senior vice president candidate Md. Mohiuddin Dewan; vice president candidate Md. Kamruzzaman Kamrul; assistant general secretary candidate Harun Chairman; treasurer candidate Naushad Haider; organizing secretary candidate Duke Khan; cultural secretary candidate Anik Raj; public relations and publicity secretary candidate Riju Mohammad; social welfare secretary candidate Munsur Ahmed; literature secretary candidate Rumana Ahmed; sports and hospitality secretary candidate Hasan Khan; school and education secretary candidate A.S.M. Main Uddin (Bablu); women and children’s affairs secretary candidate Shahnaz Hossain; and youth and information technology secretary candidate Jahangir Shahid Suhrawardy.
Executive member candidates Md. Uzzwal Bipul, Sarwar Khan Babu, Md. A. Mannan, Shamim Ahmed, Md. Abdul Malek Khan and Kazi Robiul Zaman were also recognized at the gathering.
Among those present from the Jamaica election committee and its advisory group were freedom fighter Sohorab Sarkar, A.B.M. Osman Gani, Sirajul Islam Lipon, Haji Enam, Md. Faruk Hossain Majumder, J. Molla Sani, Zahirul Islam and Kazi M.R. Khan Selim, along with other community leaders.
Founded in 2024, Bangladesh Assembly of USA is a nonpolitical, professional organization that works to strengthen social ties among expatriate Bangladeshis in New York and promote Bangladeshi literature and culture among younger generations.
The event concluded with further discussions and dinner in a festive atmosphere.
