BNP And Affiliated Organisations Hold Colourful Rally During PM’s US Visit

There has been widespread enthusiasm among leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated and associated organisations living in the United States over the arrival of BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in New York.

A colourful welcome and celebratory rally was held at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on the occasion. Thousands of expatriate Bangladeshis took part in the rally, organised jointly by the US BNP and its affiliated organisations. BNP Central Executive Committee member and International Affairs Secretary Anwar Hossain Khokon was the chief coordinator of the programme.

It may be noted that BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is visiting the United States after nearly 20 years. He left for New York with a 35-member delegation to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

He departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 5:45am local time on Monday, September 21, along with members of his entourage. His wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, is also accompanying him.

The Prime Minister and his entourage arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York at around 6pm local time on Monday. Thousands of BNP leaders and activists from the party and its affiliated organisations welcomed them. The Prime Minister’s New York visit is scheduled from September 21 to 25. Current reports also confirm that he arrived in New York on September 21 and that BNP supporters organised welcome programmes in the city.

On the ground, thousands of local BNP leaders and activists gathered at the Terminal 8 area of JFK Airport to welcome Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. They chanted various slogans in his honour. The area was filled with colourful posters, banners, festoons, the national flag and BNP flags.

Expatriate Bangladeshis welcomed their leader with applause and cheers. The rally echoed with slogans such as “Welcome, Tarique Rahman,” “Tarique Rahman in New York,” and “Welcome, welcome.” Before the celebratory rally, senior leaders of the US BNP addressed a brief gathering.

They included BNP Central Executive Committee members Mizanur Rahman Bhuiya Milton, Gias Ahmed, Abdul Latif Samrat and Zillur Rahman Zillu; New England (Boston) BNP President Syed Badre Alam (Saiful); California BNP President Badrul Alam Chowdhury Shiplu; New York City BNP President Habibur Rahman Selim Reza; BNP leader Akhtar Hossain Badal; International Affairs Secretary of Jubo Dal Maksudul Islam Chowdhury; Motahar Hossain of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Forum, USA; former central Jubo Dal leader Tofail Ahmed Liton; and Jubo Dal leader Rashed Rahman, Enamul Haque Vicky and Badal Mirza, among many others. The speakers said Tarique Rahman’s visit was a historic moment for the Bangladeshi community.

They said his leadership and vision had deeply inspired expatriates to work for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh, economic prosperity and a stronger image of the country on the global stage.

They also said every leader and activist of the US BNP was working together to make Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s New York visit successful. The leaders present said senior figures from BNP units in different US states, Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Chhatra Dal, Mohila Dal and various social and cultural organisations took part in the rally.

The large participation of women and expatriate Bangladeshis added a special dimension to the programme. The rally ended peacefully and in an orderly manner. The participants expressed hope that the Prime Minister’s visit would further strengthen the diplomatic and economic relations between Bangladesh and the United States.