Attack on Bangladeshi councilman: Panic among expatriates

Leaders of the local Bangladeshi community have expressed outrage over the terrorist attack on a Bangladeshi councilman in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. 

There is panic among Bangladeshis as no criminal has been arrested in the last three days. At a meeting last Saturday (July 17) to demand justice for the terrorist attack on Atlantic City councilor Mohammad Morshed, local leaders demanded that the real culprits be arrested and brought to justice.

It is learned that Mohammad Morshed, the first elected Bangladeshi councilor of Atlantic City, was seriously injured in a terrorist attack on Thursday (July 15) at around 10:45 pm. At that time, after the Esha prayers, he came out of the Alhera Mosque in Atlantic City and went to his car in the nearby parking lot and saw a group of talented people involved in illegal activities including selling drugs.

As the councilor of the area, he requested the scoundrels to leave the place and not to engage in illegal activities in the area in future. At one point during the altercation, one of the terrorists hit him in the face with a sharp blow, causing him to fall to the ground and his mouth began to bleed.

When a worshiper came out of the mosque, he saw the incident and immediately called 911. The local police rescued him and took him to Atlantic City Hospital. One of his eye conditions is very dangerous and may require surgery.

Bangladeshis living in Atlantic City have been living in extreme panic since hearing this news. Various social and political organizations in Atlantic City have strongly condemned the attack and demanded that the terrorists be found and brought to justice immediately.

Atlantic City Press Club President Akbar Hossain and General Secretary Mohammad Shaheen demanded an immediate trial and called on all community leaders to work together to bring the incident to justice so that no other Bangladeshis face such attacks in the future.

Hemayet Hossain, a journalist currently visiting the United States and the founding president of the Bangladesh Press Club of Atlantic City, said the attack was a continuation of attacks on Asians. He requested the mayor of the city to meet the community leaders immediately and urged the press club to take appropriate action if the leaders do not take any action.

Saleh Ahmed Liton, a prominent businessman in Atlantic City and president of the Atlantic City Bangladeshi Business Association, said the law and order situation in the city is very fragile. As traders, we have to spend our days in terror every day.

Faruk Hossain, a former vice chairman and current member of Atlantic City's school board, said it was easy to imagine how bad the situation could be for Asians, where lawmakers in the city were suffering from insecurity.

He immediately called on the city administration and the police administration to ensure the safety of all citizens, including Asians.

Shahidul Islam Liton, a member of Atlantic City's school board, said terrorist activity has continued from Georgia Avenue to California Avenue in the past few months. But no effective action has been taken by the city administration. I strongly condemn the recent attack on Councilman Morshed and call on the city administration to take appropriate action.

It is learned that the police administration has not been able to arrest anyone in the last two days. Morshed's family has appealed to everyone in the community to pray for his recovery.

Meanwhile, Atlantic City councilors held an exchange of views with Bangladeshi community leaders on Saturday to demand a trial for the terrorist attack on Councilman Morshed.

The meeting was held under the overall supervision of Iqbal Hossain, the founder of the Islamic Center of Atlantic City.

Former Vice Chairman and current member of Atlantic City School Board Faruk Hossain, President of Asian American Society of Atlantic City Sumon Majumder, President of Bangladesh Association of Atlantic County Shahid Khan, President of Bangladesh Association of South Jersey Zahirul Islam Babul, Asif Hossain, Md. Siddique, Abdur Rafiq, Mahbubur Rahman, Md. Sharif, SM Islam, Mubarak Hossain, Farhad Hossain, Moktader Rahman, Pakistani community leaders Amjad and Naeem. The meeting called on all Bangladeshi social organizations in Atlantic City to work together to demand justice for the terrorist attack.

The leaders said the terrorist attacks on Councilman Morshed were a continuation of the ongoing systematic racism against Asians in Atlantic City. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 6 pm at the Islamic Center of Atlantic City with Atlantic City Mayor, Councilman, City Officers and Atlantic City Police Chief. Atlantic City Council President George Tivbeit and Atlantic City Councilman Anjum Zia are expected to take appropriate measures for the safety of the Bangladeshi community at the City Council.