The 28th instalment of the Fobana Convention, the biggest annual gathering of Bangladeshis living in North America, will begin in New York City on August 29.
Hasanuzzaman Hassan, convener of the host committee of Fobana Convention 2014, disclosed the information yesterday at a press conference in the capital’s National Press Club.
Fobana, or Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America, is one of the oldest Bangladeshi organisations in North America.
At the press conference, Hassan said: “We have already made preparations to host the 28th Fobana Convention, to be held from August 29 to August 31, at Laguardia Airport Marriott Hotel in New York City.”
This year, the convention’s slogan is “Enlightened North America, enlightened young generation, enlightened Bangladesh,” Hassan said.
“We have been organising this convention since 1987 to make our country, people, culture, language and our nation’s victory known to the world,” he said. Hassan said this year’s convention will be the biggest congregation, as more than 24,000 Bangladeshis from the US, Canada and other North American countries are taking part in it, as well as delegations from Bangladesh.
Prominent senators, congress members, state governors, mayors and other dignitaries from the US are expected to attend the event as well.
Atiqur RK Eusufzai, president of Fobana Convention 2014, said: “This year we will demand that the Bangladesh government include the non-resident Bangladeshis in the voters’ list. We will also ask for the Dhaka-New York flight to be resumed.
The event will include seminars, cultural programmes, photo presentation, recitation and a fashion show.
