FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MARCH 3, 2022 • THE QUEENS COURIER 11
Jamaica intersection becomes Little Bangladesh Avenue
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Queens elected offi cials, community
leaders and hundreds of
residents in Jamaica were gathered
for a street co-naming ceremony
on Monday, Feb. 21,
recognizing the intersection of
Homelawn Street and Hillside
Avenue as Little Bangladesh
Avenue, paying homage to
the many contributions of the
Bangladeshi community in the
borough.
The event coincided with
International Mother Language
Day, a holiday dedicated to linguistic
and cultural diversity.
Th e holiday is widely known as
the anniversary of the day when
the people of Bangladesh fought
for recognition of the Bangla
language. It is now celebrated
worldwide.
Councilman James Gennaro
authored the City Council bill to
co-name the street, and the bill
was passed in December 2021.
Gennaro opened the proceedings
with a moment of
silence in memory of the freedom
fi ghters who gave their lives
in Bangladesh’s 1971 war for
independence.
“I am thrilled to be here for this
wonderful and timely co-naming
ceremony. As many as 65% of
New York City’s Bangladeshi population
reside in Queens — and
many of them here in Jamaica.
Today, we are celebrating the many
contributions of the Bangladeshi
community to the borough of
Queens,” Gennaro said.
Gennaro was joined by Queens
District Attorney Melinda Katz,
Assembly members David
Weprin and Jenifer Rajkumar,
Councilwoman Nantasha
Williams, Community Board 8
Chair Martha Taylor, Bangladesh
Consulate General Monirul Islam,
South Asian American Voice
Chair Rhonda Binda and others.
As the fi rst South Asian woman
elected to New York state offi ce,
Rajkumar was proud to join her
Bangladeshi family in celebrating
the Little Bangladesh Avenue conaming
ceremony.
“Th e unveiling ceremony celebrated
the many contributions of
New York City’s Bangladeshi community,
one of the fastest growing
in our city. By literally putting
Little Bangladesh on the map, we
are showing that the community
fi nally has the seat at the table it so
rightfully earned,” Rajkumar said.
Katz recognized the freedom
fi ghters and the Bangladeshi community
for their contributions to
the city and borough.
“I am grateful to be representing
this borough. I am especially
grateful to the Bangla community,
who has accepted me with open
hearts. ‘Little Bangladesh’ will be
here forever, for the next generations
to see,” Katz said.
Weprin, who also represents the
community, thanked Gennaro for
spearheading the street co-naming
recognizing the Bangladeshi
community.
“Now, any time a child will
come by and see the sign ‘Little
Bangladesh,’ they’ll realize that this
is one of the largest Bangladeshi-
American communities in the
United State of America. And we
are very proud of that culture,”
Weprin said.
Williams noted the Bangladeshi
community’s thriving businesses
while honoring their families and
showcasing their culture and language
to other communities.
Taylor called it a “historic day”
for the Bangladeshi community
and congratulated Gennaro and
everyone who came out to celebrate
the co-naming ceremony.
“The Bangladeshi-American
community has made so many
contributions to this borough, and
it is wonderful there is now a sign
on the corner of Homelawn and
Hillside Avenue to commemorate
all their accomplishments on
International Mother Language
Day,” Taylor said.
Photo courtesy of Councilman Gennaro’s offi ce
Councilman James Gennaro (c.) celebrates the co-naming of Little Bangladesh Avenue in Jamaica with community
leaders and residents.
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