Bangladeshi Americans gain prominent roles on Mamdani's transition committees
The nine members, drawn from labor, community organizing, public safety, small business, and education sectors, are part of more than 400 people advising the incoming administration on policy and staffing
Nine Bangladeshi Americans have been named to Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's inauguration and transition committees, marking what community advocates describe as an unprecedented level of representation for the Bangladeshi community in New York City government.
The nine members, drawn from labor, community organizing, public safety, small business, and education sectors, are part of more than 400 people advising the incoming administration on policy and staffing, reports CBS.
Community leaders said the appointments reflect both growing political engagement among Bangladeshi Americans and recognition of their support in the recent mayoral race.
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Several of the Bangladeshi appointees will serve on committees aligned with long-standing community priorities, including worker protections, immigrant rights, and small business development.
Committee assignments for Bangladeshi members:
- Committee on Worker Justice
- Chaumtoli Huq, CUNY School of Law
- Kazi Fouzia, DRUM Beats
- Mohammed Karim Chowdhury, ASAAL
- Committee on Community Organizing
- Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan, Hillside Islamic Center
- Committee on Community Safety
- Shamshul Haq, Bangladeshi American Police Association
- Committee on Immigrant Justice
- Farihah Akhtar, CAAAV
- Committee on Small Businesses and MWBEs
- Arman Chowdhury, MUNA
- Shah Rehman, BHALO/Musvote
- Committee on Youth & Education
- Tazin Azad
Community groups say the appointments place Bangladeshi representatives within policy areas that directly affect their constituencies, including wage protection, small-business regulation, and immigrant services. Advocates view the appointments as part of a broader pattern of engagement between Mamdani and South Asian communities citywide.
The South Asian members on the transition committees reflect the diverse constituencies that supported Mamdani during the election. Bangladeshi Americans, Pakistani Americans, and Indian Americans are represented across the committees, with Bangladeshi members forming one of the largest national-origin blocs within the South Asian cohort.
Mamdani will take office in January.
