Fobana conference held in Dallas

The 37th Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America (FOBANA) conference in Dallas, Texas broke the record of the last 36 years in the history of FOBANA conference in the United States. Bangladesh Association of North Texas (BANT) successfully held the 37th historical Fobana conference for three days and impressed the 4/5 thousand expatriates gathered in Dallas.

The Fobana conference, which started last Friday (September 1), was a gathering of Bengalis living in North America and ended last Sunday (September 3). Irving City Mayor Rick Stoffer officially opened the 37th FOBANA Convention at the Irving Convention Center in the heart of Dallas. After that, Hasmat Mobin, President of Bangladesh Association of North Texas (BANT) and convener of the 37th Fobana Conference announced the official opening of the conference. People's N Tech CEO Abu Bakr Hanif was present at the time.

Thousands of visitors from across the state of Texas and from different states arrived at the conference venue in the afternoon to attend the conference. The organizers of Dallas FOBANA said that representatives of about 64 organizations from North America have arrived in Dallas to participate in this year's conference.

Guests attended a black tie dinner in the ballroom of the Westin Hotel at the Irving Convention Center on Friday evening. On behalf of the host organization Bangladesh Association of North Texas (BANT), the convenor of the 37th FOBANA conference, Hasmat Mobin, chairperson of the executive committee of FOBANA, gave a welcome speech on this occasion. Ahsan Chowdhury Hero, Executive Secretary Nahidul Khan Sahel, 37th Fobana Conference Convener Member Secretary Sham Suddoha Sagar and former officials of Fobana.

At the beginning of the program, Bant artists performed the national anthems of Bangladesh, USA and Canada (three countries). The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of thousands of culture lovers.

In the speech of the chief guest, Irving City Mayor Rick Stoffer said, "People of all religions live in the United States." This country has multiculturalism. Bangladeshis have a considerable role in building this Dallas city. Meanwhile, the historical Fobana Conference is being held in this city. The people of the city will always remember this event of the 37th Fobana conference held in 2023. Through this conference, a bridge will be created between Bangladesh and the United States in the future.

The opening ceremony of the 37th Phobana started in the evening at the Irving Convention Center in Dallas with the national anthems of Bangladesh, USA and Canada. Abu Hanif spoke as a special guest at the inaugural function of Fobana in the joint presentation of Diba Saha, Sadman Farib, Farhanaz Reza, Sharmina Sonia, RJ Rahi and Abir Alamgir. He said, "Fobana is a disciplined organization, creating bridges between expatriates."

Pro VC of Chittagong University Benu Roy spoke among others. He said, "We are all speaking in Bengali in this convention in a developed country like the United States, many students are benefiting through FOBANA, which is exemplary." Fobana is prosperous today with 37 years of continuity.

Sabur Khan, founder of Daffodil International University, spoke as a special guest. He said, "Fobana can play a role in creating entrepreneurs with daffodil if she wants." Fobana can introduce scholarships in private universities.

In the speech of the special guest, Hakeem Arif, director of the International Mother Language Institute, said, "Fobana is patronizing our mother tongue, which is a joy and glory."

Fobana Chairman Ehsan Chowdhury Hero, Vice Chairman Masud Rob Chowdhury, Fobana Executive Secretary Nahidul Khan Sahel, 37th Fobana Convener Hasmat Mobin and Member Secretary Sham Suddoha Sagar also spoke at the opening ceremony.

Read More