Bangladesh Association in Spain election: Greater Sylhet community meets in Madrid, names Kamruzzaman Sundar as presidential candidate
A discussion meeting was held in Madrid, the capital of Spain, on the role of the greater Sylhet community and the nomination of a presidential candidate ahead of the upcoming Bangladesh Association in Spain election. The meeting took place on Monday (October 19) at the Anarkali Restaurant in the Bangladeshi-populated Lavapies area, convened by former general secretary of the Bangladesh Association in Spain, Kamruzzaman Sundar.
The meeting was chaired by Syed Ashfaqul Haque, founding organizational secretary of the Bangladesh Association in Spain, and conducted by Hafiz Abu Taher Misbah. It began with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Qari Abdul Quddus. A large number of expatriate Bangladeshis attended.
The meeting discussed in detail the role of the greater Sylhet community in the upcoming election, a united stance, and the nomination of a presidential candidate. Speakers stressed the importance of unity, mutual understanding and collective decision-making among the greater Sylhet community around the election.
It emerged in the discussion that during the previous Bangladesh Association in Spain election, Kamruzzaman Sundar had been assured that in the next election, the greater Sylhet community would unitedly support him as the sole candidate for the president's post. Against the backdrop of that promise, the community's course of action and its implementation received emphasis at the meeting.
In his speech, Syed Ashfaqul Haque said: 'We, the greater Sylhet community, had promised to field Kamruzzaman Sundar unitedly as the sole candidate in the Bangladesh Association in Spain election. I will personally keep my promise. I declare Kamruzzaman Sundar as the greater Sylhet community's presidential candidate.' Everyone present then expressed support for him.
Speakers at the meeting included Greater Sylhet Association in Spain president Abdul Kaiyum Masuk, former president Abdul Mojakkir, former convener Maulana Asaduzzaman Razzak, Ahmed Asadur Rahman Saad, former assistant election commissioner H M Dabir Talukder, former member secretary and Bangladesh Press Club in Spain president Bakul Khan, general secretary Md Siddiqur Rahman, former senior vice-president of the Greater Sylhet Association in Spain Aminur Rashid Raju, former vice-president Iftekhar Alam, joint general secretary Yusuf Ali, Belal Ahmed, Jalal Ahmed, Saiful Munshi Iqbal, Habiganj District Association in Spain general secretary Rubel Rana, Mahmud Hossain, Nazrul Islam, Mazharul Islam Jewel and Al Amin, among others.
In their speeches, they also discussed giving importance to the interests and expectations of expatriate Bangladeshis in electing the association's leadership. They demanded a stronger role for the organization on issues such as legal documentation, employment and social protection for Bangladeshis abroad.
Notably, people from the greater Sylhet region make up a significant share of Bangladeshis living in Spain, with active community organizations in Madrid, Barcelona and other cities. The Bangladesh Association in Spain has long served as one of the main organizations for expatriates.
The meeting was seen as an initiative to build mutual understanding and a coordinated position among the greater Sylhet community ahead of the election. Organizers believe the decision to field a united candidate will strengthen the community's position in the election.
The election date has not yet been formally announced, though candidate nominations and campaign preparations have already begun. Officials said the election commission would announce the schedule soon.
The meeting concluded in a cordial atmosphere, with everyone pledging to work together in the election campaign.
