Alex Mason :
A community fundraising event in Jamaica, Queens, brought Bangladeshi-American leaders, activists, and civic organizers together in support of Shamsul Haque, a candidate in the upcoming New York State Assembly District 30 primary election.
The gathering was organized by Mohammad Fakhrul Islam Delwar, a community activist, mainstream political organizer, and founder and president of Jamaica Bangladesh Friends Society. Held at his office on Tuesday evening, June 2, the event aimed to raise funds and build wider community support for Haque ahead of the June 23 primary.
In his welcome remarks, Mohammad Fakhrul Islam Delwar urged attendees to work across political and organizational lines to support a qualified Bangladeshi-American candidate. Speakers emphasized that fundraising alone would not be enough and called for volunteers, voter outreach, campaign promotion, and community mobilization.
Guests who addressed the event included Dr. Wazed A. Khan, editor of Weekly Bangladesh; Saleh Ahmed, adviser of Jamaica Bangladesh Friends Society; Arman Chowdhury, executive secretary of Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA); Tarek Khan, former president of ICNA; Kamrul Islam of NABIC; Shekil Chowdhury, chairperson of NRB Bangladesh; Engineer Mohammad Sadek; Aftab Mannan, former secretary of Jamaica Muslim Center; Shahriar Rahman of BHALO; Ershadur Siddique, vice president of the Bangladeshi-American Police Association (BAPA); and Belal Chowdhury, former president of Jamaica Bangladesh Friends Society.
Speakers described Shamsul Haque as a qualified candidate with a record of public service, noting his background as a former NYPD officer. They said his election would strengthen representation for the Bangladeshi community and other communities in Albany.
Addressing supporters, Shamsul Haque said the Assembly District 30 primary would not be easy but expressed confidence that victory was possible with financial support, volunteers, community backing, and strong outreach. He also noted that his campaign had received support from senior figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders, and said many young people were already involved in the campaign.
The event reflected the growing civic engagement of Bangladeshi Americans in Queens and their increasing role in local and state politics.
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