Carpenter Street in Hamtramck city, Michigan, will now be known as Khaleda Zia Street.
BNP’s Media Cell has stated that the decision to rename it in honour of the recently deceased BNP chairperson has been approved by the city’s council.
BNP’s Media Cell informed of the matter on their official Facebook page.
Bangladeshis are viewing this decision by the city authorities as a unique recognition of Bangladesh’s history, leadership, and democracy.
The proposal to rename the section between Joseph Campau and Conant Street in Hamtramck City after Khaleda Zia was recently approved by the City Council. Currently, four councilors of Bangladeshi origin are serving in this council, and their active efforts have made this naming possible.
According to expatriates, this is not just a new identity for a street, but an international document of Bangladesh’s political struggle in the global arena.
BNP’s Media Cell states that this is not the first time a road has been named after a Bangladeshi leader on US soil. Previously, a road had been named after former president Ziaur Rahman in Chicago city. With the addition of this road in Michigan named after Khaleda Zia this time, an inseparable political chapter of Bangladesh has taken permanent form in the United States.
Locals believe that as a result of this initiative, the new generation of expatriate Bangladeshis will become more aware of the country’s history and Khaleda Zia’s contributions. Bangladeshis living abroad have expressed great enthusiasm over this achievement. In their opinion, it is also a major proof of the growing political capability of the Bangladeshi community abroad.
Hamtramck city is known for its diverse population, and naming a road after a former prime minister of Bangladesh there will further strengthen the social and cultural bridge between the two countries.
Incidentally, on 30 December, Khaleda Zia passed away while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. The next day, she was buried with state honours next to the grave of the late President Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
