Nagorik Committee forms 'Central Diaspora Committee'

Jatiya Nagorik Committee has formed a "Central Diaspora Committee" with representation covering 29 countries across four continents.

Jatiya Nagorik Committee Joint Convenor Dr Tasnim Jara and Diaspora Affairs Secretary Ehtasham Haque announced the formation of the Central Diaspora Committee in a press release issued yesterday (9 February).

"This committee will serve as a strong platform for mobilising economic, educational, and cultural exchanges. With over 15 million Bangladeshis living worldwide, the committee seeks to channel their collective strength and expertise into rebuilding the nation post-July Revolution," reads the press release.

"We've long had this narrative that smart, educated, and good people don't get involved in politics," said Dr Tasnim Jara. "But the July Revolution has shattered that idea. Today, highly skilled professionals from all walks of life are stepping forward to be a part of this political platform for nation-building. In this committee, we have neurosurgeons, academics, astronomers, entrepreneurs, data analysts, activists, religious scholars, and small business owners—all united by one vision: to rebuild Bangladesh."

Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, said, "The greatest strength of the July Revolution was its people, and this diaspora committee is an extension of that strength. These individuals are not just thinking about Bangladesh from afar—they are ready to take action, to contribute, and to build."

Monira Sharmin, a joint convenor of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, said, "The campaigns on remittance shutdown and reverse brain drain from our diaspora community served as powerful sources of inspiration during the uprising."

SM Saif Mostafiz, a joint member secretary of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, called on the interim government to ensure voting rights for the diaspora.

Ehtasham Haque, a former British-Bangladeshi politician and diaspora affairs secretary of Jatiya Nagorik Committee, called for a reverse brain drain campaign.

"I have returned to my motherland after 22 years with the hope of serving in the rebuilding of our nation. I want every Bangladeshi around the globe to feel encouraged to bring back their valuable skills and knowledge, which will be immensely beneficial in building Bangladesh 2.0," he said.

The Central Diaspora Committee will focus on key nation-building priorities, including campaigning for the repatriation of funds laundered out of the country by the previous regime and facilitating economic, educational, and cultural exchanges globally, adds the press release.

The members of Central Diaspora Committee are: Abdur Raquib Sami, Abu Solman Murad, Abul Bashar Rahman, Al Amin, Alamgir Chowdhury Akash, Alamgir Hossain, Anamul Haque, Dewan Sahabuddin, Dilshana Parul, Esrat Jahan Chowdhury, Fakhrul Islam, Faria Fahi, Hasanul Banna, Ima Islam, Islamul Haque, Istiak Akib, Kaji Jahirul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Khaled Redwan Choudhury, Khalid Yahyea, Khandkar Ali Kawsar, M Faisal Riyad, Mahmudul Hasan Milad, Maksudul Haque, Manjurul Mahmud Dhrubo, Marjuk Ahmad, Md Abdus Satter (Palash), Md Anisur Rahman, Md Anower Hossain, Md Ariful Islam, Md Istiak Ahmed Sagar, Md Jobayar Shordar, Md Jubayed, Md Mohaimin Al Barat, Md Monir Hossain, Md Nafiz Reza Shojib, Md Ridwan Hossain Talukder, Md Saddam Hossain, Md Shakib Hossain, Md Babul Miah, Meem Arafat Manab, Mehrab Bakhtiar, Mir Abrar Hanif, Mohammad Arifur Rahman, Mohammad Hamed, Mohammad Iftesham Chowdhury, Mohammed Shahidul Alam, Moin Uddin Helaly Thouhid, Monir Uddin Ahmed, Muna Hafsah, Muntasir Mamun, Nafisa Raihana, Nahian Bin Khaled, Nazmul Basher, Nazmul Hossain, Nazrul Islam Biplab, Nurul Huda Juned, Omer Faruq, Omor Ahmed Dhali, Pabel Choudhury, Rashedul Islam, Saif Ibne Sarwar, Salwa Shams, Shah Mohammad Bahauddin, Shamma Jabeen Proma, Sharmin Ahmed Happy, Shawgat Sharmeen Kutubi, Syed Mushfiqur Rahaman, Tajul Islam Shamim, Tarek Aziz Bappi, Taukir Aziz, Tonima Tasnim Ananna, Ullash Jayed, Zafrul Hasan, Zahin Raidah Maisha, and Ziaul Hashem.