Four Decades On, FoBANA Remains Divided as New Leaders and 2027 Venues Emerge
The North American Bangladeshi community’s long-running FoBANA convention marked its 40th anniversary year with a striking display of division rather than unity. During the Labor Day weekend from September 4 to 6, separate FoBANA conventions were held simultaneously in New York, Los Angeles, Orlando, Florida, and Toronto, Canada. Almost every faction presented its gathering as the 40th FoBANA Convention.
At the conclusion of the three-day events, new leadership was elected across three factions, while host cities for the 2027 convention were also announced by several groups. The Toronto faction, however, retained its existing leadership and has yet to formally announce a host city.
As a result, the 41st FoBANA Convention in 2027 is now almost certain to be held in multiple cities, continuing the organization’s long-standing divisions.
New York FoBANA: Zakaria Chowdhury Elected Chairman
At the annual general meeting of the FoBANA convention held in New York, Zakaria Chowdhury was elected chairman for the 2026–2028 term.
Nurul Amin Babu was elected senior vice chairman, Shafiqul Alam vice chairman, and Dewan Moniruzzaman executive secretary.
Subrata Talukder and Mahmudul Hasan were elected joint executive secretaries, while Sazzadul Hasan was named treasurer. A 31-member executive committee was formed.
The meeting also selected Washington, D.C., as the host city for the 41st FoBANA Convention in 2027.
The Bangladesh Association of Pennsylvania, Florida Dhaka Club and the U.S.-Bangladesh Heritage Foundation of Washington, D.C., had expressed interest in hosting the event. The responsibility ultimately went to Washington, D.C.
Veteran journalist Dastgir Jahangir was announced as president of the 2027 host committee, with Dr. Mohammad Hossain serving as general secretary.
Los Angeles FoBANA: New Leadership and Houston Host City
At the annual general meeting held at the Hilton Hotel in Universal City, Los Angeles, Mohammad M. Rahman Zahir was elected chairperson for the 2026–27 term. Dr. Priyalal Karmakar was elected executive secretary.
The new committee includes Abir Alamgir as vice chairperson, Anthony Gomez Pius as joint secretary and Nahida Naser Yasmin as treasurer. Nine individuals were also named outstanding members, along with executive members representing organizations from various states.
The Los Angeles faction announced that its 2027 FoBANA Convention will be held in Houston, Texas, while Michigan was named as the proposed host for the 2028 convention.
The Bangladesh Association of California hosted this year’s Los Angeles convention. Held from September 4 to 6 at the Hilton in Universal City, the event featured cultural programs, seminars, healthcare initiatives and youth activities.
Toronto FoBANA: Existing Leadership Retained
In Toronto, the fourth FoBANA faction opted not to elect a new executive committee, instead retaining its existing leadership.
Gias Ahmed continues to serve as chairman, while Firoz Ahmed remains secretary.
The Toronto faction has not yet formally announced the host city for its 2027 convention. Buffalo, New York, has reportedly been discussed as a possible location, but no final decision has been made.
An organizer said the host city and organizing organization could be finalized at a future meeting.
The first day of the Toronto convention was held at the Don Valley Hotel. The following two days featured a large-scale Bangladeshi fair organized jointly with Taste of Bangladesh. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, local politicians, artists and large numbers of community members attended the event.
Orlando FoBANA: New York Selected for 2027
At the separate FoBANA convention held in Kissimmee, Florida, Atikur Rahman was elected chairman of the new executive committee. Rahim Nihal was named executive secretary.
Ziaul Haque Zia and Aminul Islam Collins were elected vice chairmen. Sahabuddin and Imran Jony Alam were named joint secretaries, while Shahedul Islam Anjan was elected treasurer.
This faction announced that its 41st FoBANA Convention in 2027 will be held in New York, with the Bangladesh League of America serving as the host organization.
The Orlando convention was held at the Holiday Inn Resort Kissimmee by the Parks. The three-day event included cultural programs, discussions on business and leadership, youth activities and sessions highlighting women’s leadership.
Four Decades Later, Unity Remains Elusive
Once regarded as the largest annual gathering of Bangladeshis in North America, FoBANA has become increasingly fragmented following years of leadership disputes and organizational disagreements.
Even in its 40th-anniversary year, the divisions remained unresolved—and became more visible as four separate conventions were held in four cities during the same Labor Day weekend.
Based on this year’s decisions, at least three separate FoBANA conventions are already set for 2027: Washington, D.C., New York and Houston. If the Toronto faction announces a separate event, the number could rise to four.
As FoBANA enters its fifth decade, a fundamental question now looms over the organization: Can North America’s traditional platform for Bangladeshi communities eventually reunite under a single umbrella, or will multiple parallel conventions operating under the FoBANA name become the new reality?
