New York, NY – Rise Up New York City made history today by hosting the first-ever candidate forum dedicated to the Bangladeshi American community. The event, which took place before a packed audience of hundreds, was also broadcast live, allowing hundreds more to participate from home. The forum provided a platform for Bangladeshi Americans to engage directly with mainstream politicians, hear their visions for the future of New York City, and understand how their leadership can impact the community.  The event was organized by Rise Up New York City President Shamsul Haque, who also served as the evening’s emcee. In his remarks, he highlighted the growing political influence of Bangladeshi Americans, citing data from the CUNY and New York City Redistricting Commission report, which found that Bangladeshis are the largest Muslim population in New York City and the second-largest Asian group in the city. He emphasized the need for greater political engagement within the community and thanked the organization’s executive board members and volunteers for their dedication in making the event a success.  The forum saw an impressive turnout of elected officials and candidates, including New York City mayoral candidates Zohan Mamdani, Brad Lander, and Michael Blake. Additionally, the event featured candidates running for New York City Comptroller: Ismail Malave, Mark Levine, and Justin Brennan, as well as candidates for Public Advocate: Jumaane Williams and Jennifer Rajkumar.  City Council candidates from multiple districts also participated in the forum, including:         •       Eddie Marrero (District 13 – The Bronx)         •       Jana Henriquez (District 21)         •       Hiram Monserrate (District 21)         •       Chanel Thomas-Henry (District 21)         •       Ricardo Pacheco (District 25)         •       Shah Haque (District 25)  Each candidate had the opportunity to share their vision for New York City, address key concerns facing the Bangladeshi American community, and answer questions from attendees. The crowd responded with enthusiasm, frequently breaking into applause as candidates outlined their commitments to issues such as public safety, education, economic opportunity, and immigrant rights.  Community leaders also took the stage, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement, voter registration, and active political participation among Bangladeshi Americans. They highlighted the growing influence of the community in shaping New York City’s future and urged attendees to make their voices heard at the ballot box.  “The success of this event marks a turning point for our community,” said Shamsul Haque. “For too long, Bangladeshi Americans have been overlooked in mainstream political discussions. Today, we changed that.

This is just the beginning of our movement to ensure our voices are heard and our concerns are addressed.”  About Rise Up New York City  Rise Up New York City is a Bangladeshi-American political organization founded in 2021. Our mission is to advocate for safety, representation, and equity for all New Yorkers, with a particular focus on ensuring fair treatment for the Bangladeshi community. Despite being the largest Muslim group and the second-largest Asian ethnic group in New York City, Bangladeshis remain significantly underrepresented in government and policymaking.  Our primary goals include:

        •       Expanding voter registration efforts within the Bangladeshi community.         •       Informing, educating, and mobilizing Bangladeshis to participate in primary and general elections.  We call on the city to take meaningful steps toward inclusivity by:         •       Appointing Bangladeshis to high-ranking positions in NYC government.         •       Including Bangladeshis on key city boards, such as the Taxi and Limousine Commission and the CUNY Board of Trustees.         •       Implementing a policy that allows Muslim high school students to leave at 12:30 PM on Fridays for Jumu’ah (Friday prayers).  

      •       Allocating city funding to Bangladeshi-led nonprofits that support immigrants, seniors, and youth.         •       Ensuring fair access to government advertising and outreach efforts for Bangladeshi ethnic media.  Bangladeshis make significant contributions to New York City’s economy, culture, and workforce. It is time for policymakers to acknowledge their impact and ensure that they have a voice in shaping the city’s future.  Media Contact: Jamil Sarwar Rise Up New York City