By Akbar Haider Kiron & Salahuddin Ahmed

August 1, 2025 New York (UNA): Didarul Islam Ratan (36), a Bangladeshi-American police officer, was laid to eternal rest amid deep love and respect from thousands of New Yorkers and a large number of NYPD members. On Thursday (July 31), his Janaza (funeral prayer) was held at Parkchester in the Bronx. His body was later buried at Laurel Grove Cemetery in New Jersey.  Before the Janaza, New York’s Governor, City Mayor, Police Commissioner, and other top city officials paid tribute to this brave Bangladeshi police officer. As his body was taken for burial following the prayer, torrential rain suddenly poured from the sky—as if New York itself wept alongside more than 20–25 thousand mourners at his final farewell.  According to eyewitnesses, around 15–20 thousand NYPD officers joined the farewell ceremony for Officer Ratan, along with approximately 10,000 general attendees. The farewell program began at 10 a.m. and was conducted by the City Police Department with full cooperation from the Parkchester Jame Masjid Committee, which was founded and run by Bangladeshis.  Among those present were Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, mayoral candidate and State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, City Councilwoman Shahana Hanif, as well as several State Senators, Assembly members, and City Council members. The Consul General of Bangladesh in New York, Mohammad Mozammel Haque, and officials from the consulate also paid their respects.  The Janaza was held after the Zuhr (midday) prayer at Parkchester Jame Masjid. Prior to the prayer, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced that Officer Didarul Islam Ratan had been posthumously promoted to First-Class Detective. Thousands of worshippers filled the mosque and surrounding streets for the Janaza prayer, which many observers described as one of the largest funeral prayers in New York’s recent history. The sheer volume of attendees caused traffic to come to a standstill in the area.  Didarul’s body was placed in the mosque for public tribute starting at 10 a.m. Later in the afternoon, the Mayor, Governor, and other dignitaries arrived to deliver heartfelt eulogies in his honor. The Bangladesh-American Police Association (BAPA) and the Kulaura Bangladeshi Association USA also expressed their deep sorrow and condolences.  Following the Janaza, Officer Ratan's coffin was taken to the hearse under a ceremonial NYPD Guard of Honor. A helicopter flyover salute was also performed as a final tribute. Thousands of New Yorkers gathered around the mosque and nearby streets to bid him farewell with love and respect. As the rain poured down, it seemed nature itself mourned the loss of this heroic New Yorker.  Finally, under heavy rain and amid full NYPD Guard of Honor, the funeral procession left the Bronx for Totowa Cemetery in New Jersey. Thus, New York lost a courageous officer, and his loved ones lost their dearest one. Later in the day, he was buried with deep reverence, in the presence of a large number of police officers and Bangladeshi expatriates.