As the number of Bangladeshi immigrants in North America has grown over the years, numerous regional, social and cultural organizations have emerged within the community. Although their goals and activities vary, many share a common aspiration: to strengthen unity and move the community forward collectively.

That very principle of unity, however, is now being questioned within the Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America, better known as FOBANA.

Founded with the goals of promoting Bangladeshi culture, connecting younger generations with their heritage and protecting the interests of Bangladeshi immigrants, FOBANA has entered its fourth decade amid growing organizational divisions.

This Labor Day weekend, four separate FOBANA conferences are scheduled to take place simultaneously in four cities across the United States and Canada: New York, Los Angeles, Orlando and Toronto. Organizers of nearly all four events are promoting their gatherings as the “40th FOBANA Conference.”

The emergence of four simultaneous conferences under the FOBANA name has generated surprise, disappointment and frustration among members of the Bangladeshi diaspora. It has also raised a basic question: Which one represents the authentic FOBANA?

Four Cities, Four Conferences

From September 4 to 6, during the Labor Day weekend, four separate conferences are scheduled to take place as FOBANA marks 39 years since its first conference and enters its fourth decade.

In New York, a three-day FOBANA conference is being held at Evangel Christian Church in Astoria. Organized by the NRB Association, the event is dedicated to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and carries the theme, “1971 in Our Consciousness, Bangladesh in Our Hearts.”

The organizing committee is led by Chairman Zakaria Chowdhury, Executive Secretary Dewan Moniruzzaman, Convener Nurul Amin Babu and Member Secretary Manzur Kader. The event is open to the public and includes discussions on the Liberation War, seminars on immigration, women’s empowerment programs and cultural performances.

Another conference is being held at the Hilton Hotel in Universal City, California, under the slogan, “Bangladeshis Abroad: A Commitment to the Future.”

Organized by the Bangladesh Association of California, the event is expected to feature participation from 54 registered organizations and 22 cultural performances.

Kali Pradip Chowdhury is scheduled to deliver the keynote address. The conference is being coordinated by Convener Zainul Abedin, Chairperson Robiul Karim Belal and Executive Secretary Khaled Rauf. Organizers have also announced the expected participation of Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury and the mayor of Los Angeles.

In Florida, another conference is being organized by the Bangladesh Association of Central Florida at the Holiday Inn Resort in the Kissimmee area.

Led by Zahid Hasan, Anwar Hossain Santu and Rahim Ranyahal, the event will feature discussions on social and contemporary issues, along with an evening of music and entertainment featuring film and music personalities.

Meanwhile, the fourth conference is scheduled at the Don Valley Hotel and Suites in Toronto, Canada.

The event is being organized under the leadership of Gias Ahmed, Shah Newaz, Abu Zubayer Dara and Firoz Ahmed. Organizers have invited members of the Bangladeshi community to attend. Magician Jewel Aich and actress Bobita are expected to appear, while Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada Nahida Sobhan is also expected to attend.

Different Views on the Division

Some members of the Bangladeshi diaspora say FOBANA has increasingly become, in their view, a platform for social status and influence.

They point to what they describe as a growing competition over the size of events, the number of celebrities appearing on stage, sponsorship revenue and attendance. According to them, such competition has further contributed to the organization’s divisions.

Some community members believe that personal rivalries, ego and the desire to exercise influence have played a role in the leadership disputes. As a result, they argue, the collective strength that FOBANA was originally intended to provide to the Bangladeshi community in North America has become fragmented across multiple platforms.

There are also allegations surrounding the process of inviting guests from Bangladesh to FOBANA conferences in the United States.

Some members of the community allege that substantial amounts of money have been sought from individuals in exchange for invitations, visa-related documentation and opportunities to participate in conferences. Some have described the practice as “invitation business.”

Those making the allegations claim that FOBANA invitations are sometimes used as supporting documents in U.S. visa applications, creating opportunities for financial transactions. There have also been allegations of additional charges being sought in the name of assistance with the visa application process.

Organizers, however, have maintained that they operate transparently and have rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing.

Some community members say the leadership disputes and organizational fragmentation have prevented the large pool of talent and potential within the Bangladeshi community in North America from being utilized through a single, effective platform.

Can FOBANA Become United Again?

Despite the divisions and controversies, the four events taking place during Labor Day weekend remain a source of excitement for thousands of Bangladeshi Americans and Canadians.

One venue will feature popular musical performers, another will host magic and entertainment, while others will offer opportunities to celebrate Bangladeshi culture alongside family and friends.

For many members of the diaspora, FOBANA remains deeply connected to cherished memories: wearing traditional saris and panjabis, enjoying Bangladeshi food, listening to familiar songs, reconnecting with old friends and introducing their children to the culture and heritage of Bangladesh.

That emotional connection is precisely why the current divisions have caused disappointment among many in the community.

As FOBANA enters its fourth decade, the central question facing the organization is not which conference attracts the largest audience, brings the most celebrities or secures the most sponsorships.

The larger question being asked by members of the diaspora is whether an organization founded to bring Bangladeshi communities across North America under one umbrella can rise above leadership disputes and personal interests and once again become a genuine platform for unity.

FOBANA’s Beginnings

FOBANA traces its origins to the first conference held in Washington, D.C., in 1987.

The organization was established with the broader goal of strengthening unity and solidarity among Bangladeshis living in the United States and Canada, promoting Bangladeshi culture and heritage, improving the quality of life of expatriate Bangladeshis through social, cultural and educational activities, and building bridges between Bangladesh and North America in various fields.

Nearly four decades later, FOBANA’s stated mission remains relevant to a growing Bangladeshi diaspora. The challenge now is whether that original spirit of unity can be restored.