Former Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen’s Appearance at New York Iftar Sparks Debate

The presence of former Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A. K. Abdul Momen at an iftar gathering in New York has triggered widespread discussion within the Bangladeshi expatriate community.

Dr. Momen was seen attending an iftar and prayer event organized by a faction that recently split from the Jalalabad Association. The event took place on Saturday (February 21) at Gulshan Terrace and was hosted by the group led by President Moimul Islam and General Secretary Ataul Gani Asad. Observers noted that the former minister appeared in a noticeably different and understated manner.

Photos and videos of his attendance quickly circulated on social media, prompting mixed reactions among Bangladeshi expatriates. Some community members criticized the organizers for inviting him, while others viewed his public appearance as politically significant.

In addition to Dr. Momen, the event was attended by several social, cultural, and community figures, according to sources familiar with the gathering.

While reactions within the expatriate community have varied, organizers did not issue any immediate official statement regarding his participation.

During his tenure as foreign minister under the former Awami League government, Dr. Momen faced criticism on several occasions for controversial remarks. Shortly after taking office, during a visit to India, he described bilateral relations as “very good,” comparing them to a relationship between husband and wife to illustrate their closeness.

In another statement that drew significant backlash, he reportedly said that he had requested the Indian government to do “whatever is necessary” to keep Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in power.

More recently, Dr. Momen was criticized on a popular RT talk show by Ratan Talukdar, editor of the weekly Janmabhumi. Talukdar alleged that irregularities, corruption, and a lack of accountability characterized Dr. Momen’s 17-year political career. He further claimed that certain decisions and public statements made during his tenure as foreign minister had raised questions about Bangladesh’s diplomatic posture and created confusion among the public.

The latest development has once again placed the former minister at the center of public discourse, particularly within the Bangladeshi diaspora community in the United States.