James Anderson:
In a gathering that blended spiritual reflection with civic engagement, the Bangladesh American Advocacy Group (BAAG) hosted its Iftar and Dua Mahfil 2026 on March 10 at Gulshan Terrace in Woodside, New York, bringing together community members, elected officials, and advocacy leaders during the holy month of Ramadan.
The event drew a diverse audience of Bangladeshi Americans and local leaders, highlighting the growing civic presence of the diaspora in New York’s political landscape. Serving as Guest of Honor, U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez addressed attendees and spoke candidly about the challenges facing immigrant communities in the United States.
Velázquez criticized the anti-immigrant actions of the Trump administration, stating that “America is going through a deep crisis.” She urged communities to stand united in defending their rights as citizens. “We are not just Bangladeshis or members of different communities — we are American citizens. To protect our rights, we must unite and continue our struggle if necessary,” she said. Velázquez also noted that although she will not run in the upcoming election, she remains committed to supporting communities in their fight for justice. “I will continue to stand with you and fight for the rights of Americans.”
Former U.S. Congressman Jamaal Bowman, who attended as a special guest, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for collective advocacy. “We must raise our voice for the rights of immigrants,” Bowman said, calling for government funds not to be used for immigration arrests through ICE but instead to be invested in community development and education. He added that housing, healthcare, home-care services, and community safety are fundamental human rights, stressing the importance of empowering communities to defend those rights.
Several public officials and community leaders also addressed the gathering, including New York City Council Member Shekar Krishnan, Nisha Agarwal, a representative from the New York City Mayor’s Office, and First Deputy Commissioner Jagpreet Singh.
Among the community speakers were BAAG President Zainal Abedin, BAAG General Secretary Shahana Masum, New York Muslim Action Network’s Mir Masum Ali, New York State Comptroller candidate Raj Goel, and several state assembly candidates including Mary Zobaida, Shamsul Haque, Mahtab Khan, Samantha Kattan, and David Orkin. Additional remarks came from Afaf Nasher, Executive Director of CAIR-New York, and Patriots Bangladesh spokesperson Abdul Qader.
The program began with Qur’an recitation by Imran Hossain and Shafik Abedin, followed by a welcome address from Shahana Masum. A video presentation highlighted BAAG’s advocacy initiatives, and a special dua was offered before attendees broke their fast together.
The evening concluded with closing remarks from BAAG Treasurer Engineer Abdur Rahim, while the program was emceed by young community members Tazrin Rahman and Kazi Tejwar.
With strong participation from community organizations, media representatives, and activists, the BAAG Iftar 2026 served as both a spiritual gathering and a platform for civic dialogue—reinforcing the growing voice of Bangladeshi Americans in New York’s public life.
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