Vibrant Bengali New Year Celebration Held by BASJ in Atlantic City
Community leaders and residents gather for music, culture, and unity as Atlantic City’s Bangladeshi community welcomes the Bengali New Year.
(To read the story in Bengali, click here.)
ATLANTIC CITY – The Bangladesh Association of South Jersey (BASJ) hosted a lively Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year) Celebration and Boishakhi Mela on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Bangladeshi expatriates gathered to welcome the New Year, leaving behind past mistakes and failures while embracing hopes for happiness, peace, and prosperity.
The evening event, held at the Bangladesh Community Center, featured a variety of cultural programs including speeches, music, poetry recitations, informal gatherings, a raffle draw, and a festive marketplace.
The program began with the national anthems of Bangladesh and the United States, followed by a ceremonial drum performance that officially launched the celebration.
Hosted by Moniruzzaman Monir, the event welcomed Assemblywoman Maureen Rowan as the chief guest and Atlantic City Council Vice President Kaleem Shabazz as a special guest. New Year greetings were also delivered by Councilmembers Jesse Kurtz, Stephanie Marshall, George "Animal" Crouch, Councilmember-at-Large Stephanie Marshall, Sohel Ahmed, former Councilman Anjum Zia, Mamunul Haque Mamun, Atlantic City Board of Education member Subrata Chowdhury, Farhad Siddiqui, and other local political leaders.
Leaders of BASJ, including President Zahirul Islam Babul, General Secretary Zakirul Islam Khoka, Trustee Board Chairman Abdur Rafiq, along with community members Pintu Roy, Md. Ayub, Gias Uddin, Rafiqul Islam, Syed Shahid, Abdur Rahim, Mohammad Belal, Rowshan Uddin, Sakhawat Hossain, Abdul Quddus, Md. Zahid, and others, also extended their New Year greetings.
Pohela Boishakh is a universal and non-sectarian celebration for Bengalis around the world. It marks a fresh beginning not only for Bengalis but also for indigenous and ethnic communities who speak the Bengali language, regardless of religion or background. The day symbolizes renewal, as people leave behind the old and step into a new year filled with promise.
Even in the diaspora, the festival continues to inspire unity, harmony, and cultural pride among people of all backgrounds. The celebration became a heartfelt reunion for expatriate Bengalis, transcending divisions of religion and identity.
The event reflected the inclusive and democratic spirit of Bengali culture.
Musical performances were delivered by popular North American artists Shah Mahbub, Indira Chowdhury, Abu Naser, Zaman Ruku, and Joyonto Sinha. Poetry recitations were presented by Subrata Chowdhury and Moniruzzaman.
Organizers said the goal of the event was to showcase the richness and diversity of Bengali culture with pride.
BASJ President Zahirul Islam Babul, General Secretary Zakirul Islam Khoka, Trustee Board Chairman Abdur Rafiq, Boishakhi Mela Convener Md. Moniruzzaman, Member Secretary Belal Hossain Bhuiyan, Coordinator Abu Naser, and Supervisor Abdur Rahim expressed their heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making the event a success.
With colorful attire and joyful energy, the venue transformed into a “mini Bangladesh,” as attendees celebrated with enthusiasm.
The Boishakhi Mela featured strong sales of a wide variety of goods, and the event concluded with a raffle draw.
Please enjoy our photo gallery for the event:
