Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America, or FOBANA-Central, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Bangladeshi culture in North America. FOBANA-Central operates as a tax-exempt organization under IRS 501(c)(3) (Tax ID: 88-2697935), ensuring its non-political, non-discriminatory nature.
FOBANA-Central is separate from the Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America (FOBANA).
As an umbrella organization of Bangladeshi Associations in North America, FOBANA-Central has been dedicated to preserving and promoting Bangladesh’s language, culture, and heritage since 1987. It serves as a platform for Bangladeshi communities in North America to celebrate their achievements and showcase their cultural talents through performances. It is a unifying force for the Bangladeshi community and a symbol of hope and aspiration. One of the organization’s principal aims is to keep Bangladeshi culture alive in North America, especially for the next generation of Bangladeshi Americans. The organization also helps to assimilate the young Bangladeshi generation into mainstream North American culture.
Membership
- Individuals cannot be members of FOBANA. Only qualified Bangladeshi associations in North America can be members of FOBANA-Central. These associations pay $100 annually (Convention to Convention cycle) to enjoy the organization’s benefits, including networking, national recognition, leadership development and growth, talent development, and cultural exposure.
- No political, religious, regional, business, charity, privately held foundation, or company shall qualify as a member. However, FOBANA may offer non-voting Associate or student membership to organizations that may positively impact the organization’s common goal.
- Prospective member organizations must have at least 50 documented members on file when applying for membership. Proof of this could be a written list of members’ names, an online video, or a photo of a meeting or event showing members.
- Prospective member organizations must also be involved in community activities serving people of Bangladeshi origins in North America.
- At least one member of the FOBANA organization must recommend the membership application. The Membership Reviewed Committee can waive this recommendation if it can verify it verbally.
Affiliated Associations:
Bangladesh Association of Montreal
Bangladesh League of America
Bangladesh-America Friendship Society
Bangladesh Association of San Antonio
Writers’ Association of Bangladesh
Ananda Mela Los Angeles
American Bangladesh Business Association
Bangladesh Association of Michigan
Atlanta Social and Cultural Organization
Bangladesh Academy of Los Angeles
Karigor Production and Cultural Society
Canada-Bangladesh Solidarity
Standing Committees
Bangladesh Liaison Committee
Health and Wellness Committee
Legal Committee
Business & Investment Committee
Unification Committee
Constitution & Procedure Review Committee
Media & Public Awareness Committee
Seminar Committee
Women Empowerment Committee
Cultural Committee
Mainstream Liaison Committee
Membership Review Committee
Social Network Committee
Youth Forum Committee
Goodwill and Promotion Committee
Awards Committee
Convention Liaison Committee
Scholarship Committee
Executive Logistics Committee
Convention Review Committee
Alumni Committee
Fundraising Committee
Budget & Finance Committee
Team:
Chairperson: Atequer Rahman
Vice Chairperson: Zahid Hossain
Executive Secretary: Dr. Rafiq Khan
Executive Joint Secretary: Mohamed Kabir Kiran
Treasurer: SM Lotifur Reza Tushar
Member: Zakaria Chowdhury
Member: Mahmud Musharraf Hussain
Member: Bedarul Islam Babla
Member: Dewan Moniruzzaman
Member: Sadek M Khan
Member: Sibbir Ahmed
Member: Arif Ahmed Ashraf
Member: Abul Ibrahim
Member: Rahim Nehal
Member: Syed Hossain Babu