Chittagong Association of North America, Inc. was established in 1997 to create a platform in Brooklyn, New York, for people of all ages (who were born in Chittagong and living in North America) to get together, observe Chittagonian culture, share information, help each other, share mutual interests. The Association offers exciting, fun events throughout the year, such as street fairs, annual feasts, picnics, iftar parties, award distribution among talented Bangladeshi children, reception of Bangladeshi celebrities, etc.
Chittagong Association of North America, also known as Chattogram Shomity, is a not-for-profit (501 (c)(3)), non-political, social, cultural, welfare, and charitable organization. The association promotes unity, fraternity, and cooperative relationships with other Bangladeshi communities and ethnic groups in New York City. Members of the Chittagong Association of North America come from Anwara, Banshkhali, Boalkhali, Chandanaish, Fatikchhari, Hathazari, Lohagara, Mirsharai, Patiya, Rangunia, Raozan, Sandwip, Satkania, and Sitakunda upazilas (administrative units). People of Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachhari can also be association members.
The association is run by an elected committee, which consists of one president, two vice presidents, one general secretary, two assistant general secretaries, one treasurer, one organizing secretary, one cultural and education secretary, one social welfare secretary, one sports secretary, one office secretary, one publicity secretary, one publication secretary, and seven members. Elections are held every two years.
The larger aim of the association is to promote unity, fraternity, and cooperation within the greater Chittagonian community living in the USA. The association also aims to:
- help people of Chittagonian who are in need;
- provide job counseling and training to community youths;
- provide vocational training;
- provide religious education to children;
- financial assistance to community members to establish small businesses;
- help emergency assistance to community members;
- provide low-cost housing to poor, needy people;
- arrange yearly get together and street fairs;
- explore and offer social benefits to community members, etc.
Services offered
- Immigrant Support
- Funeral Support
- IT Training
- Health Fair
- Community Development
Membership:
Membership is open to people over 18 years old, who pay the correct fee, fill out the application form, and are referred by a member of the association. The two-year general membership fee is $24, and lifetime membership is available for $500. All membership requires approval from the appropriate authority of the association.
Team:
President: Mohammed Abu Taher
Senior Vice President: Muhammed Muktadir Billah
Vice President: Ali Akbar Bappi
Vice President: Mohammed Ayub Ansary
General Secretary: Md Ariful Islam
Joint General Secretary: Iqbal Hossain Bhuiyan
Asst. General Secretary: Mohammad Harun Miah
Treasurer: Md Shafiqul Alam
Asst. Treasurer: Mohammed Nurul Amin
Organizing Secretary: Mohammad Farhad
Office Secretary: Ajoy P Talukder
Asst. Office Secretary: Imrul Kaiser
Education & Cultural Secretary: Mohammed Enamul Haque Chowdhury
Publication Secretary: Mohammed Zaber Shafi
Social Welfare Secretary: Aktarul Azam
Sports Secretary: Mohammed Issa
Executive Member: Nurus Sofa
Executive Member: Mohammed Shah Alam
Executive Member: Mohammed Shwakat Ali