In a significant gesture honouring a key South Asian political figure, a city in the United States has renamed a street after Begum Khaleda Zia, the three-time former prime minister of Bangladesh. The decision underscores the growing influence and activism of the Bangladeshi diaspora in American civic life.
Council Approves Tribute to Former Prime Minister
The Hamtramck City Council in the US state of Michigan formally approved a proposal to rename a section of Carpenter Street. The stretch between Joseph Campau Avenue and Conant Street will now carry the name of the late Bangladeshi leader, who also served as the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
This symbolic act was driven by the city's elected representatives of Bangladeshi heritage. Four councillors of Bangladeshi origin on the Hamtramck council played a pivotal role in championing and securing approval for the renaming, as acknowledged by the BNP in a social media post.
More Than a Name: A Symbol of Political Struggle
For members of the expatriate Bangladeshi community, this move carries deep significance beyond a mere change of street signage. They describe it as a form of international recognition for Bangladesh's political journey and struggles. As reported by BSS News, community members see it as an honour that resonates with the nation's history.
This event in Hamtramck is not an isolated incident of American recognition for Bangladeshi leaders. The community highlighted a precedent: a street in Chicago was previously named in memory of President Ziaur Rahman, the martyred former leader of Bangladesh and Khaleda Zia's husband.
Hamtramck: A Melting Pot of Immigrant Communities
The city of Hamtramck itself provides a compelling backdrop for this story. It holds the distinction of having the highest proportion of immigrants in Michigan. It is home to the state's largest Bangladeshi immigrant community and boasts the second-highest concentration of Arab residents after Dearborn.
Over the last thirty years, Hamtramck has transformed into a primary destination for immigrants from Arab and Asian nations, with significant populations from Yemen and Bangladesh. Demographic data paints a clear picture: over 40% of Hamtramck's residents are foreign-born. Furthermore, nearly 70% of the city's population identifies as Muslim, a demographic reality reflected in its leadership—the mayor, police chief, and all city council members are Muslim, according to the Detroit Free Press.
The renaming of Carpenter Street stands as a testament to the civic engagement of these communities. It illustrates how diaspora groups are shaping the cultural and political landscape of their new homes while paying homage to the legacy of leaders from their countries of origin.
