DHAKA: The first US–funded Shaheed Minar (Martyrs’ Monument) in Paterson of New Jersey in United States was inaugurated on Sunday.

M Shameem Ahsan, Consul General of Bangladesh in New York, cut the ribbon where Pedro Rodriguez, deputy Mayor of Paterson, Ruby Cotton, Vice-President of Council, among others, attended the function.

The speakers said this is the memorable event for both Bangladesh and the host country.

However, the Deputy Mayor appreciated the Bangladesh community in Paterson for their love and passion for their culture and history.

M Shameem highlighted that the Passic County made financial grants for the project in 2013 while the Paterson City Council allocated the land at the prime Westside Park in 2012 for construction of the Shahid Minar to honour Bangladesh community in Paterson City and to acknowledge the multicultural significance of the mother tongue of the diverse immigrant communities, he added. 

Bangladesh community in Houston, Texas, earlier, built a Shaheed Minar which was, however, fully funded by the community.

BDST: 1546 HRS, FEB 16, 2015