VTMBH Article: Body
People from all walks of life in the Bangladeshi community protested the killing of Hossain Shakawat and demanded the punishment of his murderers at a rally on Sunday in Brooklyn. Among others, local Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez spoke, urging vigilant law enforcement in maintaining the peace. She also demanded the trial of Hossains killers.
Shakawat Hossain, 18, was a brilliant engineering student at Staten Island College. He was killed on the night of Nov. 11 in Brooklyn. The rally was held on the spot where he was killed, at the corner of Church and McDonald Avenues in Brooklyn. Hispanic criminals are suspected in his death, which comes exactly three months after the murder of Bangladeshi photojournalist Mijanur Rahman in Ozone Park.
Several thousand Bangladeshis attended the rally, despite the chilling cold and rain. The Bangladesh Society of New York organized the rally. In his speech, the newly elected general secretary of society, Fakhrul Alam, alleged that Shakawats killers were professionals and if remained at large, many others will face Shakawats fate.
Rep. Velázquez clearly said that though we come from different linguistic communities and different religions, we believe in mutual respect. She said that the civility between Bangladeshis and Latinos must be maintained at all costs. Those who killed Shakawat made a great mistake, she said, and their punishment will make an example of them. To accomplish this, the law enforcement agencies must be given cooperation. The court would of course ensure justice, she added.
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Dr. Iftekher Ahmed Chowdhury, Consul General Ambassador Rafique Ahmed Khan, State Assemblyman Jim Brennan, Councilman Bill deBlasio and Mohammad Hossain, the victims elder brother, also spoke.
Sifat Salek Shafique said, This is a land of faith and justice, and we have faith in the system. We want the criminals who have committed this heinous crime to be punished fully. We want the killers of Shakawat Hossain to be found guilty and awarded the death penalty. Imam Nurul Isla led a special prayer in the congregation.
Quite a large number of children and women also took part in the rally. Hossains mother, Shakawat Rahima Begum, his sister Nahida Begum, and two of his elder brothers Milad Hossain and Shahadat Hossain participated. A portrait of Shakawat, drawn by the artist Rana, was set up on the stage. Shakawats classmates offered last respects by placing floral wreaths on the portrait. The political minister of Bangladesh Mission in Washington, Mostafa Kamal, and press minister of Bangladesh Mission to the United Nations M. Muhaddis, Norman Siegal, former director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, and other local and national community leaders attended the rally and chanted slogans in favor of justice.
Some of Shakawats coworkers from the Canal Street Burger King also attended the rally and chanted slogans, including: We are peace loving people; We Demand Justice. They were weeping. Some of the teachers of John Jay High School, where he graduated last June, were also present at the rally. High-level officials of the New York Police Department were also present. Xavier Amigo, 17, and Charles Durante, 17, of Sunset Park, were arrested in connection with the murder but released later. Police are looking for two more accused persons.
Shakawat Hossain was from Bawria Union of Sandwip, in Bangladesh. He came to the United States six years ago with his other family members. The youngest among his five brothers and sisters, he was studious and a good soccer player. When he was a high school student he organized a Bangladeshi student club. Before the rally, a special prayer was offered for salvation of his departed soul. His body was sent to Dhaka for burial on Nov. 16 by Bangladesh Biman airlines.
Shakawat Hossain, 18, was a brilliant engineering student at Staten Island College. He was killed on the night of Nov. 11 in Brooklyn. The rally was held on the spot where he was killed, at the corner of Church and McDonald Avenues in Brooklyn. Hispanic criminals are suspected in his death, which comes exactly three months after the murder of Bangladeshi photojournalist Mijanur Rahman in Ozone Park.
Several thousand Bangladeshis attended the rally, despite the chilling cold and rain. The Bangladesh Society of New York organized the rally. In his speech, the newly elected general secretary of society, Fakhrul Alam, alleged that Shakawats killers were professionals and if remained at large, many others will face Shakawats fate.
Rep. Velázquez clearly said that though we come from different linguistic communities and different religions, we believe in mutual respect. She said that the civility between Bangladeshis and Latinos must be maintained at all costs. Those who killed Shakawat made a great mistake, she said, and their punishment will make an example of them. To accomplish this, the law enforcement agencies must be given cooperation. The court would of course ensure justice, she added.
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Dr. Iftekher Ahmed Chowdhury, Consul General Ambassador Rafique Ahmed Khan, State Assemblyman Jim Brennan, Councilman Bill deBlasio and Mohammad Hossain, the victims elder brother, also spoke.
Sifat Salek Shafique said, This is a land of faith and justice, and we have faith in the system. We want the criminals who have committed this heinous crime to be punished fully. We want the killers of Shakawat Hossain to be found guilty and awarded the death penalty. Imam Nurul Isla led a special prayer in the congregation.
Quite a large number of children and women also took part in the rally. Hossains mother, Shakawat Rahima Begum, his sister Nahida Begum, and two of his elder brothers Milad Hossain and Shahadat Hossain participated. A portrait of Shakawat, drawn by the artist Rana, was set up on the stage. Shakawats classmates offered last respects by placing floral wreaths on the portrait. The political minister of Bangladesh Mission in Washington, Mostafa Kamal, and press minister of Bangladesh Mission to the United Nations M. Muhaddis, Norman Siegal, former director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, and other local and national community leaders attended the rally and chanted slogans in favor of justice.
Some of Shakawats coworkers from the Canal Street Burger King also attended the rally and chanted slogans, including: We are peace loving people; We Demand Justice. They were weeping. Some of the teachers of John Jay High School, where he graduated last June, were also present at the rally. High-level officials of the New York Police Department were also present. Xavier Amigo, 17, and Charles Durante, 17, of Sunset Park, were arrested in connection with the murder but released later. Police are looking for two more accused persons.
Shakawat Hossain was from Bawria Union of Sandwip, in Bangladesh. He came to the United States six years ago with his other family members. The youngest among his five brothers and sisters, he was studious and a good soccer player. When he was a high school student he organized a Bangladeshi student club. Before the rally, a special prayer was offered for salvation of his departed soul. His body was sent to Dhaka for burial on Nov. 16 by Bangladesh Biman airlines.