Sixth Bhashani Conference Held in New York, New Committee Formed

Speakers at the Sixth Bhashani Conference held in New York said it is now time to accord Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani the status of a national leader at the state level. They also emphasized the need for further research and study on Bhashani and called for his political philosophy, humanitarian ideas and opposition to exploitation to be introduced to a new generation.

The sixth Bhashani Conference was organized by Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani Foundation USA Inc. on Sunday, September 20, at Queens Palace in Woodside, Queens, New York.

Speakers at the conference said Bhashani had been the subject of various forms of misinformation and misrepresentation. They said he was not a leader opposed to any particular community, but rather a leader who fought for the rights of people from all communities, including Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians.

The conference adopted a 10-point resolution, calling for Bhashani to be officially recognized as a national leader and for the state to commemorate his contributions.

Professor Salimullah Khan, a faculty member at North South University in Dhaka and a prominent writer and researcher, was the chief guest and keynote speaker at the conference. Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, economic affairs adviser to the prime minister, was the guest of honor.

Former Cabinet Secretary of Bangladesh’s interim government Siraj Uddin Mia Sathi, Soumitra Dastidar, founder of Bhashani Charcha Kendra in Kolkata and a prominent writer, researcher and filmmaker, and Bhashani researcher Junaid Ehsan also took part in the discussion as invited guests.

The conference was presided over by Ali Imam Shikder, a freedom fighter and president of the foundation.

The main session began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthems of Bangladesh and the United States. A one-minute silence was observed in memory of those who were killed during the Liberation War and democratic movements.

Welcome remarks were delivered by Moinuddin Naser, general secretary of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani Foundation USA Inc. Former student leader Mostafa Karim Farid presented a paper on Bhashani.

Others who took part in the discussion included Syed Tipu Sultan, patron of the Sixth Maulana Bhashani International Conference 2026 Celebration Committee; convener Gias Ahmed; and prominent political figure Nahidul Islam. The event was moderated by Shahab Uddin Sagar, member secretary of the conference celebration committee.

In his speech, Professor Salimullah Khan said it is impossible to write the history of Bangladesh without Bhashani. He said Bhashani was present at every major stage of the country’s struggle for independence, self-determination and the liberation of its people.

According to Salimullah Khan, Bhashani was not merely the leader of a political party. He was a leader of farmers, workers and oppressed and disadvantaged people. He said establishing people’s rights, rather than capturing political power, was at the core of Bhashani’s politics.

He said ordinary people were at the center of Bhashani’s political philosophy. Rather than seeking proximity to those in power, Bhashani sought to make those in power accountable to ordinary citizens.

Referring to Bhashani’s opposition to imperialism, Salimullah Khan said Bhashani spoke throughout his life against both domestic exploitation and international domination and imperialism. He viewed the struggles of oppressed people around the world as being connected to the struggles of the people of Bangladesh.

He said Bhashani’s political life and ideas should not be confined to commemorative events or formal observances. His people-centered politics, humanitarian philosophy and opposition to exploitation need to be studied and analyzed anew in the context of contemporary political and social realities.

Salimullah Khan said remembering Bhashani means more than remembering a leader from the past. It also means bringing the rights of farmers, workers, the poor and marginalized people to the forefront.

Discussing the study of Bangladesh’s history, Salimullah Khan said the country’s history should not be viewed solely through the lens of a single individual, political party or particular period, as doing so can leave important figures and political movements overlooked. He said Bangladesh’s independence, national identity and political consciousness developed through a long historical process involving the contributions of various leaders and political movements, including Bhashani.

He also called for historical discussion on the concept of establishing a single individual as the sole “Father of the Nation” of independent Bangladesh. He noted that in the history of state formation in many countries, the contributions of multiple founding figures have been recognized. He said Bangladesh’s national history should likewise be assessed in light of the collective contributions of different leaders, movements and political traditions.

Emphasizing Bhashani’s humanitarian and secular political outlook, Salimullah Khan said Bhashani did not practice politics based on a narrow religious or communal identity. He stressed unity among people of different communities and the rights of ordinary citizens. According to him, the rights and dignity of people, regardless of religion, community or identity, were among the foundations of Bhashani’s political philosophy.

Discussing different phases of Bhashani’s political career, Salimullah Khan said his role was significant in the politics of Assam, East Bengal and later Pakistan. Even after the establishment of Pakistan, Bhashani opposed injustice, discrimination and exploitation by those in power. He also played an important role in the politics of the Awami Muslim League.

Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir discussed Bhashani’s political life and also highlighted various activities of the government. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government is a government of the people and noted that the prime minister visited Bhashani’s mausoleum before inaugurating a farmers’ card program in Tangail.

A magazine published on the occasion of the conference was also unveiled on the main stage. Poems were recited by Sadek Khan and Harun-ur-Zaman Bhuiyan.

The cultural segment featured performances by popular expatriate Bangladeshi singers Mariam Maria, Nilima Shashi and Karim Hawladar. The segment was hosted by S. M. Ferdous, joint convener of the conference celebration committee.

Among those attending the conference were Nazmul Ahsan, editor of Weekly Porichoy; Dr. Wazed A. Khan, editor of Weekly Bangladesh; Abu Taher, editor of Weekly Bangla Patrika and CEO of Time Television; Fakhrul Alam, director of ATN Bangla USA; Mohammad Saeed, editor of Weekly Probash; Member of Parliament Momtaz Alo; foundation chief adviser Mohammad Hossain Khan; joint convener Firoz Ahmed; coordinator Kazi Azam; and other prominent members of the Bangladeshi-American community and supporters of Bhashani.

New Committee Formed

As the term of the organization’s executive committee was set to expire this year, outgoing General Secretary Moinuddin Naser announced a new committee at the conference.

The new committee will serve for the 2027-2030 term. It was also announced that an advisory council would be formed at a post-conference executive committee meeting.

Freedom fighter Ali Imam was elected president, while journalist Shahab Uddin Sagar was elected general secretary.

The other members of the 25-member committee are:

• Vice Presidents: Mostafa Karim Farid; Kazi Sakhawat Hossain Azam
• Joint Secretary: Nazmul Alam Shyamol
• Organizing Secretary: S. M. Ferdous
• Treasurer: Nur Amin
• Overseas Affairs Secretary: Ataur Rahman Ata
• Publicity, Information and Technology Secretary: Tanvir Karim
• Women’s Affairs Secretary: Nargis Rahman
• Social Welfare Secretary: Delwar Hossain Shipon
• International Affairs Secretary: Soumitra Dastidar

Executive Members: M. A. Sadek, Shah Alam Dulal, Khondkar Farhad, Mahmud Khan Taser, Q. Zaman, Abdur Rahim Hawladar, ABM Salahuddin Ahmed, Faruk Hossain Majumdar, Baset Rahman, Billal Chowdhury and Moin Uddin Naser, who will serve as an ex-officio member.