BAH Brief History
Bangladesh Association, Houston (BAH) was established in 1978 to cherish, promote and share the ideals and rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh. It was the natural progression of the Bangladesh Student Association at the University of Houston. BAH and its members work diligently to keep the ideals vigilant among all of us, young and old! BAH also helps establish forums for the welfare of the community by exchanging ideas between the members and the people in and around our community. It is not only an event based organization, but also a support based organization that takes an active role in assisting people and the community when needed. Over the years BAH organized cultural events and commemorative functions, as well as fund raising activities to help victims of natural disaster in Bangladesh and in Houston.
BAH now owns a 4 acres land in Houston and is in the process of building Bangladesh-American center (BAC), a piece of Bangladesh—home away from home! With that future in mind BAH is making this important commitment in the areas of diversity, volunteer development, technology and communications to help align the association’s goals and to ensure that BAC and BAH become a vital and vibrant part of the city of ours, we call home –Houston.
BAH activities include working with local authorities, like “Mayor’s International and Development Council” to develop closer working ties and share information on opportunities and resources available in Houston for various communities. BAH serves as a liaison between our community and various local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, like FBI, HPD, Airport Security, etc., and discusses issues and concerns to find solutions that relates to our community. These interactions provide us a forum to discuss community concerns and work towards greater understanding. . BAH runs Bangla Pathshaala, a project to teach Bangla language to young and adults alike. This is in-tune for building strong and effective bridges in today’s society of global village that we all share. BAH also provides free medical services to the community members, involved in fund raising for solving a dire problem of Arsenic contamination in drinking water in Bangladesh, supports educational seminars, provides immigration services, offers mobile consular services, and provides counseling for women. Bangladesh Association established “Zee Memorial Fund” that offers loans to community members for unforeseen contingences. These interest free loans have helped many individuals and families over the years during their time of crisis.
BAH promises to keep the association sound today while keep working to make the association stronger for the future. We have profound respect for the community’s support and we thank our community and its members for their support. We can make it better by working together to keep our heritage and culture alive.
Click to See BAH History
BAH Achievements
BAH – Evolution of a Community: 1971 OnwardBAH – Achievement brochure: Published version Outside (PDF) and Inside (PDF) Both_Pages
| Year | Major Initiatives and Achievements |
| 1978 | Established Bangladesh Association, Houston |
| 1984 | Bangladesh head of state visited Houston and inaugurated a trade show with trade delegates lead Hossain Md. Ershad. City of Houston provided a stately protocol |
| 1989 | Received 501 c (3) status from IRS |
| 1989 | Held seminar on Flood Prevention in Bangladesh |
| 1990 | BAH started a very successful weekend Bangla school |
| 1990 | Co-hosted 1990 FOBANA Convention in Dallas |
| 1991 | Organized fundraising for Bangladesh flood victims and raised $120,000.00 |
| 1996 | Bangladesh-American Center formation dialogue initiated |
| 1998 | Launched Bangladesh Association website www.bangladesh-association.com |
| 1998 | Bangladesh-American Center formation dialogue formally launched |
| 1998 | Organized fundraising for Bangladesh flood victims and raised $50,000.00 |
| 1999 | Established emergency fund “Zee Memorial Fund” for helping needy families |
| 1999 | Celebrated 100th Birthday of Bangladesh National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam |
| 2000 | Amendments to the BAH constitution |
| 2000 | Celebrated the first International Mother Language Day (IMLD) in Houston and continued the event every year. Since then representative from over 20 countries joined in the celebration. Houston Mayor proclaimed the Day as International Mother Language Day (IMLD) |
| 2001 | Held prayer vigil, raised fund for victims of 9/11 tragedy. Worked with federal, state and local officials to raise awareness for peace and harmony |
| 2001 | Bought 3.99 acre land for $137,000 to build Bangladesh-American Center |
| 2002 | His Excellency Syed Hasan Ahmad, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to USA visited Houston |
| 2002 | The Coalition for Peace in South Asia – a Rally in front of the Houston City Hall to stop the imminent war between India & Pakistan |
| 2003 | Sent proposal to Bangladesh Embassy to offer Mobile Consulate Services in North America. Bangladesh Embassy started this service in 2004 |
| 2003 | Bangladesh Association By-Laws reviewed and approved |
| 2003 | Raised $5,000 under “Zee Memorial Fund” and helped Musa family. Also worked with the parties involved to have Late Musa’s house completely paid off and helped secure the families future housing needs |
| 2003 | Bangladesh-American Center established 1150 sq ft office with nice patio to accommodate BAH activities while the center project is underway. This facility is used regularly for BAH meetings, rehearsals, tournaments, etc. and also rented to other Bangladeshis for various events |
| 2003 | Bangladesh Association joined the Houston Mayor’s International Affairs and Development Council (MIADC) and continued the membership since then |
| 2004 | Organized fundraising for Bangladesh flood victims and raised $35,000 |
| 2004 | Raised $2,050 under “Zee Memorial Fund” and helped Mustafizur Rahman and Lamiya fund |
| 2004 | Sent a proposal to the Government of Bangladesh to recognize foreign citizens who had contributed as Freedom Fighters for our Liberation War. |
| 2005 | Started a campaign “Bring the honorable remains of Late Bir Shrestho Flight Lieutenant Matiur |
| 2005 | Successfully hosted North America Bangla Literature and Cultural Convention. Texas Governor Rick Perry, and Houston Mayor Bill White proclaimed the Convention |
| 2005 | Organized fundraising for Victims of Hurricane Katrina and raised $4,500 for the “Katrina Fund” |
| 2005 | Worked with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee to raise funds and other necessities for the Tsunami victims. |
| 2006 | Since 2006, Bangladesh Association is serving as a liaison between our community and the U.S. Justice Department, and various local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, like FBI, HPD, Airport Security, etc. and discusses issues and concerns to find solutions that relates to our community. These interactions provide us a forum to discuss community concerns and work towards greater understanding. |
| 2006 | Raised $1,400 under “Zee Memorial Fund” and helped the Russell Family |
| 2007 | Organized Arsenic problem awareness and fundraising. Developed web site and raised $3,500 |
| 2007 | Organized fundraising for Bangladesh flood victims and raised $100,000 |
| 2007 | Raised $18,000 under “Zee Memorial Fund” and helped three families in crisis |
| 2008 | Organized fundraising for Bangladesh flood victims and raised $41,000 |
| 2008 | Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus visited Houston and met community members |
| 2008 | BAH/ BAC was listed as North American Bangladeshi organization under dissemination list about Diabetes. National Diabetes Education Program and CDC together produced and translated the Following Book let into Bengali. “4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes for Life”. BAH distributed the booklet in 2009 during FOBANA convention |
| 2009 | BAH built a partnership with M.D. Anderson under Minority Cancer Research with health disparity program to start South Asian protocol for various cancers |
| 2009 | Raised $2300 under “Zee Memorial Fund” and helped families in crisis |
| 2009 | Successfully hosted first major Bangladeshi Convention in Houston – FOBANA 2009, Houston Mayor Bill White proclaimed July 2, 3, and 4 as the FOBANA Day Honored Freedom Fighters Displayed Mobile Bangladesh Liberation War Museum in coordination with Bangladesh Liberation War Museum Declared ‘Houston Declaration against Genocide’ |
| 2010 | Sent proposal to UN Mission to declare Shaheed Minar to be recognized as a symbol of the International Mother Language Day |
| 2010 | Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus was formally invited to the ground breaking ceremony of the Bangladesh-American Center during his Houston visit |
| 2010 | His Excellency Akramul Qader, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to USA visited Bangladesh-American Center |
| 2010 | His Excellency Ambassador Akramul Qader unveiled the newly designed Shohid Minar with deck and stage on the Bangladesh-American Center land |
| 2010 | His Excellency Ambassador Akramul Qader unveiled the newly designed Bangladesh Association, Houston web site (https://www.bangladesh-association.com/) |
| 2010 | Bangladesh Association, Houston’s history and achievements published |