New York: The Bengali New Year celebration will be held for the fourth time at Times Square on April 11. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal has confirmed his participation in the Mangal Shobhajatra (festive procession).

The information was confirmed by Bishwajit Saha, founder and president of NRB Worldwide, the organizing body. According to organizers, the Mangal Shobhajatra will be one of the main attractions of the Bengali New Year 1433 celebrations in New York and is expected to draw attention from Bengalis around the world.

As part of the preparations, the third round of rehearsals was held on Sunday at Nabanna Auditorium. The session, hosted by the organization’s General Secretary Tofazzal Hossain, was attended by over a hundred artists and performers, including director Mohitosh Talukdar Tapas.

Under the direction of Mohitosh Talukdar, rehearsals for five new songs took place over the weekend. Sunday’s sessions included children and teenagers in the first segment, followed by a combined group of young and adult performers, with nearly a hundred participants in total.

Earlier, a special rehearsal of traditional Jari, Sari, and Marfati songs was conducted under the supervision of folk artist Shaheen Hossain, featuring 15 selected performers. Another rehearsal, led by Rabindra Sangeet artist Kartik Chandra Das, included 12 participants. Additionally, more than 50 dancers have been regularly practicing under the choreography and direction of Chandra Banerjee for the Times Square event.

Celebrations for the Bengali New Year will take place on April 11 at Times Square and continue on April 12 at Diversity Plaza, creating a festive atmosphere across New York City’s boroughs. Professor Hossain Kabir of University of Chittagong noted that despite various challenges, the festival has brought cultural vibrancy to the expatriate community over the past four years, a spirit clearly reflected in the recent rehearsals.

The US Awami League observed the historic March 7, the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and National Children’s Day with due respect and dignity. The program was held at Nabanna Party Center in Jackson Heights, New York—often referred to as the capital of the world—with the presence of leaders and activists from all wings and affiliated organizations of the US Awami League. The hall was filled with party members and supporters.

The event was chaired by US Awami League President Dr. Siddiqur Rahman and conducted by General Secretary Abdus Samad Azad. Speakers at the event expressed concern that the newly elected BNP government has prevented the proper observance of the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—an address internationally recognized as an epic declaration of independence—thereby pushing the nation toward division.

The speakers also urged the BNP government to immediately withdraw the ban imposed on the Awami League and its affiliated organizations through what they described as an illegal ordinance issued by the “killer-fascist Yunus government.”

Leaders from the US Awami League, New York State and City Awami League, Mahila Awami League, Swechchhasebak League, Jubo League, and the US Chhatra League took part in the discussion.

—Press Release

The Jackson Heights Beautification Group (JHBG) hosted its annual Halloween parade on Friday, Oct. 31, along 37th Avenue, from 89th Street to 76th Street in Jackson Heights. This marked the 34th annual Jackson Heights Halloween parade. Attendees of the parade were also given bags of treats as a reward for their participation.

People of all ages took part in the parade. JHBG Co-Chairs John McCaffrey Jr. and Edwin O’Keefe-Westley sponsored this event. O’Keefe-Westley also serves as a member of Queens Community Board 3. Live music was performed during the parade.

Multiple local leaders were also on hand for the parade, including Council Member Shekar Krishnan, State Senator Jessica Ramos and Assemblymembers Jessica González-Rojas, Catalina Cruz and Larinda Hooks.

NEW YORK, Oct. 26 — The New York City Board of Elections has reported strong turnout on the first day of early voting, as residents across the five boroughs begin selecting a successor to outgoing Mayor Eric Adams.

According to unofficial figures, 79,409 voters cast their ballots citywide on Saturday. Manhattan led the turnout with 24,046 votes, followed by Brooklyn with 22,105, Queens with 19,045, The Bronx with 7,793, and Staten Island with 6,420.

Adams, who withdrew from the race in September, endorsed independent candidate and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo last Thursday. Cuomo is now facing Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive race.

Early voting will continue daily through Sunday, November 2, with hours varying by location. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, when polling stations across New York City will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Early in-person voting has begun in New York City for one of this year’s most closely watched mayoral elections. The main contenders are Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist poised to become the city’s first Muslim mayor; Curtis Sliwa, a Republican candidate; and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams is not running this year and has recently thrown his support behind Cuomo.

Mamdani has gained popularity among progressive voters with proposals such as universal free childcare, free bus services, and a rent freeze for nearly one million rent-regulated apartments. During the campaign, he has faced anti-Muslim rhetoric and has criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

Cuomo, on the other hand, has described Mamdani’s policies as “economically unrealistic” and has emphasized his experience as the state’s governor to appeal to voters.

New York has allowed early voting since 2019, and in the June mayoral primary, roughly 35 percent of ballots were cast early in person.

NEW YORK — Independent mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo is taking aim at Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to raise taxes on corporations and millionaires, calling the plan “an impossibility.”

In an interview with WNYC’s Brian Lehrer, the former governor argued that Mamdani’s idea to boost state corporate and high-income tax rates to fund New York City programs would never pass in Albany.

“A Buffalo assemblyman or a Long Island senator is not going to raise taxes on their corporations to give the money to New York City,” Cuomo said. “It is an impossibility that a state legislature would raise statewide corporate taxes dedicated to only New York City.”

Cuomo, who served as governor for 11 years, said lawmakers from outside the five boroughs would never back a tax hike that doesn’t benefit their constituents. He also noted that Gov. Kathy Hochul, who faces reelection next year, has stated she has no interest in raising taxes on the wealthy or corporations.

Mamdani, a Queens assembly member and democratic socialist, has made tax increases on corporations and high earners the centerpiece of his affordability platform — aimed at funding free city buses, universal subsidized childcare, and other social programs.

Mamdani’s campaign pushed back, accusing Cuomo of defending the interests of the wealthy.

“Don’t get it twisted: Andrew Cuomo will stop at nothing to protect the billionaires and corporations making life more expensive for New Yorkers,” said Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec, noting that Cuomo initially resisted but ultimately signed a 2021 tax hike on the rich.

Cuomo’s spokesperson Rich Azzopardi countered that Cuomo’s record speaks for itself.

“The governor proposed a millionaires tax in his 2021 budget amid the financial burdens of the pandemic and it remains on the books,” Azzopardi said. “Mamdani’s operation should get their facts right.”

The sharp exchange comes as Cuomo tries to revive his underdog campaign following a loss to Mamdani in last month’s Democratic primary. Also in the general election race are Mayor Eric Adams (running on an independent line), Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, and independent candidate Jim Walden.

Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations he denies, has since revamped his campaign strategy — spending more time meeting voters and embracing short-form social media videos that proved successful for Mamdani.

“The reason it’s dangerous,” Cuomo said of Mamdani’s proposals, “is because none of it happens, none of it works. Then you just disillusion the public — and nothing changes.”

New York — Democratic candidate for New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has become one of the most talked-about figures in city politics ahead of the upcoming election. Calling for unity among Bangladeshi expatriates, Mamdani urged everyone to stay focused and resist misinformation campaigns.

“The upcoming November 4 election will make history,” said Mamdani. “We must not be distracted by confusion or propaganda. Only through unity can we win this battle at the ballot box.”

The remarks came on Monday evening at a community gathering jointly organized by the Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association (JBBA) and Bangladeshis for Zohran at the Sanai Party Hall in Jackson Heights.

Mamdani reminded attendees of his earlier electoral success, “We defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s son by a 13-point margin. Yet, he remains in the race as an independent. His goal is to block our progress, but together, we will achieve our mission.”

He further said, “Our vision is to make New York City a livable city for everyone. In this world’s most expensive metropolis, we must ensure fair opportunities for all — especially for hardworking immigrants.”

As the first Muslim candidate in New York City’s history, Mamdani emphasized the importance of collective action, “To turn this city into a city of dreams, we must stay united. Muslim and South Asian voters must come out and vote in large numbers.”

The event began with a welcome address from Abdus Sobhan, member-secretary of Bangladeshis for Zohran. JBBA President Giyas Ahmed presided over the meeting, which also featured speeches from Shahnewaz, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bangladesh Society; Imam Shamsi Ali, Director of Jamaica Muslim Center; Fakrul Islam Delwar, founding president of the Jamaica Bangladesh Friends Society; and Tarek Hasan Khan, General Secretary of JBBA.

In the upcoming election, 33-year-old Zohran Mamdani faces his main rival, 67-year-old independent candidate Andrew Cuomo. Political observers suggest that current Democratic Mayor Eric Adams withdrew from the re-election race following a request from former President Donald Trump. Trump has labeled Mamdani a “socialist Democrat,” warning that if he wins, New York City could lose federal benefits.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Adams stepped aside amid corruption investigations, allegedly hoping for a presidential pardon from Trump. Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa is also being urged to withdraw from the race, as mounting political pressure from Trump’s camp seeks to prevent Mamdani’s victory by any means.

New York City has nearly 200,000 registered Muslim voters and over 300,000 South Asian voters. Mamdani, who was born in Uganda in 1991, is gaining growing support from African-American, Hispanic, and young voters, according to immigrant community leaders.

In contrast, Andrew Cuomo has been accused of attempting to create divisions between Muslim and Hindu communities, campaigning in mosques and temples while emphasizing his experience.

Zohran Mamdani was born on October 18, 1991, in Uganda to a Muslim father, Mahmood Mamdani, originally from Gujarat, India, and a Punjabi Hindu mother, filmmaker Mira Nair. When he was five, the family moved to South Africa, and two years later, they immigrated to the United States.

New York: Queens-based Bangladeshi business leader Fahad Solaiman has withdrawn his support for mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, citing the lawmaker’s stance on decriminalizing prostitution. Solaiman, a resident near Roosevelt Avenue, told The Post that backing prostitution equates to supporting human trafficking. He urged his mosque community to instead support former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent candidate.

“After sunset, you can’t walk down Roosevelt Avenue without seeing prostitutes,” Solaiman said after Friday prayers at Darul Hidaya Mosque.

Once a Mamdani supporter for his views on Palestine, Solaiman said he now sees the assemblyman as “a hypocrite.”

Mamdani, who co-sponsored a state bill to decriminalize sex work among consenting adults, has recently avoided detailed comments on the issue. Local mosque leaders joined Solaiman in endorsing Cuomo, who trails Mamdani by about 20 points in recent polls.

“We’re proud to support Andrew Cuomo to unite our city,” said Imam Qazi Qayyoon.

Mamdani’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the opening of the newest Flushing Bank location on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 37-44 74th St. in Jackson Heights. Hosted by the Flushing Financial Corporation, the parent holding company for Flushing Bank, the event’s attendees included multiple local business owners and community leaders. Among those on hand for the ribbon-cutting were Flushing Bank President and CEO John R. Buran, Council Member Shekar Krishnan and Foundation for a Better World President and CEO Abdus Sobhan and Director of Youth Development Farhan Abdur Rahman.

“We are excited to be a part of this vibrant and diverse community,” Buran said. “Our multilingual branch staff can provide in-language support to customers. They have been busy developing new relationships and introducing themselves to the residents and businesses within this market.”

During the ceremony, Buran presented a $3,000 check to the Foundation for a Better World, which provides career skill training to community members. The donation will help fund the charitable organization’s youth development program.

“We want to make sure that we are supporting our community, building roots in the community,” Krishnan said. “And the fact of the matter is, as the world changes and the city changes around us too, to know that we have small businesses here that understand the importance of building relationships in our community and do so from the beginning really stands out to me, and that’s especially true for our financial institutions and our banks.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday he is suspending his re-election campaign, effectively making him a one-term mayor. In an eight-minute video, Adams blamed negative press and being denied public campaign financing for crippling his chances, despite touting achievements on housing, crime reduction, and economic recovery.

His exit turns the November race into a three-way contest between Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Adams declined to endorse anyone but warned against “chaos” from radical promises.

Polls show Mamdani leading but without majority support. Cuomo now has a chance to consolidate moderates, though Sliwa remains in play. Adams’ name will still appear on the ballot due to deadlines, but his campaign is over.