The newly elected executive committee of the New York Bangladeshi American Lions Club for the 2026-27 term was formally inducted at a grand ceremony attended by more than 500 Lions members and guests.

The event was held on Thursday, August 27, at the spacious ballroom of Leonard’s Plaza in Great Neck, Long Island.

Lion Shah M Newaz, First Vice District Governor of Lions District 20-R2 and a former president of the club, attended the ceremony as the chief guest.

Among the special guests were Lions International Director Ozzie Oswald Torres, Lions District Governor Nina Smith, Past District Governors Madadi C and Amado C, along with Lion Ataur Rahman Selim, Lion Dulal Behedhu, Lion Mohiuddin Dewan, Lion Ahsan Habib and Lion Ujjal Bipul, among other Lions leaders.

Lion Mohammad Sayeed, an election commissioner and former president of the club, administered the oath of office to the newly elected committee members. He was assisted by Chief Election Commissioner Lion Amena Newaz and Election Commissioners Lion Rocky Alian and Lion Nurul Azim.

During the ceremony, Lions International Director Ozzie Oswald Torres administered the oath to 107 new members of the club. Lions District Governor Nina Smith and other district officials subsequently welcomed the new members and presented them with certificates.

The program began with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Lion Md Jasim. Lion Anisul Islam Tony led the Pledge of Allegiance, while Lion Tamal Hossain led the pledge of allegiance in Bangla. The national anthems of the United States and Bangladesh were then performed.

Lion Mashiur Rahman conducted the traditional Lion Toast, followed by several cultural performances by artists from Mithun Dance Group.

Speakers at the event included Chief Guest Shah M Newaz; re-elected Club President Lion JFM Russell; Founder President Lion Advocate Matiur Rahman; Past President and Election Commissioner Lion Mohammad Sayeed; Past President Lion Ahsan Habib; Immediate Past President and Election Commissioner Lion Rocky Alian; newly appointed Club Secretary Lion Masud Rana Tapan; outgoing Club Secretary Lion Mashiur Rahman; and newly appointed Treasurer Lion ASM Uddin Pintu.

Immediate Past President Lion Rocky Alian delivered the welcome address.

Other speakers included Event Chairman Lion Md Zahid Alam, Convener Lion MS Alam, Chief Coordinator Lion Fahad Solaiman and Member Secretary Lion Md Mizanur Rahman.

The program was hosted by District Coordinator Lion Ahsan Habib and Lion Sharmina Shiraz Sonia.

Guests were welcomed by Club President Lion JFM Russell, newly appointed Club Secretary Lion Masud Rana Tapan, newly appointed Treasurer Lion ASM Uddin Pintu and outgoing Club Secretary Lion Mashiur Rahman.

The club also celebrated its 13th Charter Anniversary by cutting a cake during the event.

Club President Lion JFM Russell and newly appointed Secretary Lion Masud Rana Tapan expressed their gratitude to club members, guests and well-wishers for their support.

They said the club would further strengthen its humanitarian services, community initiatives and support for the Bangladeshi-American community through unity and cooperation, guided by the Lions International motto, “We Serve.”

The club presented commemorative plaques to Chief Guest Shah M Newaz and several other officials. Awards and recognitions were also presented to a number of individuals for their contributions in various fields.

Several club members also received citations from New York State Assemblymember Jennifer Rajkumar. Lion Abdur Rashid Babu, Lion Anisul Islam Tony, Lion Amit Barua, Lion ASM Uddin Pintu and Lion Chowdhury Md Aziz assisted with the awards and recognition segment.

The evening also featured musical performances by popular expatriate Bangladeshi artists, including Tahmina Sonia, Trinia Hasan and Rizia Parvin.

Guests were served welcome drinks, appetizers and a special dinner as part of the evening’s hospitality.

As part of the induction celebration, food was distributed throughout the day among more than 1,000 children at several orphanages in Bangladesh. The initiative linked the club’s celebratory event in the United States with humanitarian service activities in Bangladesh.

The program concluded with a raffle draw, followed by the distribution of prizes among the winners.

Club President Lion JFM Russell delivered the closing remarks, officially bringing the grand induction ceremony to an end.