Michigan's Hamtramck city renames street in honour of Khaleda Zia
A street in Hamtramck city of the US state of Michigan will now be known as 'Khaleda Zia Street', in honour of late BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
According to BNP's Media Cell, the Hamtramck City Council has approved the decision to rename Carpenter Street after the three-time former prime minister of Bangladesh.
Sharing the news on its official Facebook page, the BNP Media Cell said the renaming of the street reflects an international recognition of Khaleda Zia's political leadership, democratic struggle and contribution to Bangladesh's history.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The street is located in the heart of Hamtramck city.
The proposal covers the section of Carpenter Street between Joseph Campau Avenue and Conant Street, which has now been officially renamed as Khaleda Zia Street.
The media cell said four councillors of Bangladeshi origin are currently serving on the Hamtramck City Council, and their active role made the renaming possible.
Members of the Bangladeshi community living in the United States see the decision as more than a symbolic change of a street name.
They believe it represents an international acknowledgement of Bangladesh's political struggle and leadership.
BNP's Media Cell also said this is not the first time a street in the United States has been named after a Bangladeshi leader.
Earlier, a street in Chicago was named after BNP founder late president Ziaur Rahman. With the addition of Khaleda Zia Street in Michigan, another chapter of Bangladesh's political history has found a lasting place on US soil.
Hamtramck is widely known for its diverse population, and the naming of a street after a former Bangladesh Prime Minister is expected to strengthen social and cultural ties between Bangladesh and the United States.
Khaleda Zia passed away on 30 December while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. She was laid to rest the following day beside the grave of late president Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar with state honours.
