UsaNewsOnline.Com, New York : Dil Afroz Ahmed, known in the Bengali community as Nargis Ahmed, is a long-time community leader and public figure who was at the forefront of spearheading integration of the Bangladeshi diaspora into the rich cultural mosaic of America.

From her migration to the United States in 1981 as a young newlywed, her humble journey began while working full-time as a travel consultant to support her family. It was during this time she was invited as an on-air news anchor for the weekly Bangla news program, ‘Ruposhi Bangla’ in 1986. It was the first Bengali television program outside of Bangladesh, and was broadcasting on public access channels throughout the tri-state area.

            As Nargis became a familiar and dependable public figure, she went on to help form the organization ‘Bangladesh Shangshod’ in 1988, and held post as General Secretary. ‘Bangladesh Shangshod’ was the first and only organization that came forward to teach English, American customs, training and job placement, and free medical services to newly arrived Bangladeshi immigrants. Through this organization, she headed initiatives for the collection and distribution of winter attire to the needy and other similarly humanitarian minded projects.

            Nargis Ahmed rose to further prominence while becoming actively involved with Bangladesh Society Inc. Founded in 1975, it is an organization servicing the Bangladeshi-American community at large, with more than 18,000 active members to date. Her dedication culminated into being the very first, and currently still the only, elected female president of Bangladesh Society Inc. Prior to this, she had been a proud life member, holding two consecutive terms as an executive committee member, and was elected as their Organizing Secretary while taking over the official duties of the General Secretary due to his long absence. During this time, she chaired the Bangladesh Society’s ‘Bangla School,’ for American children of Bangladeshi background who were interested in learning traditional Bengali music, dance, as well as how to read and write in Bangla.

            Aside from being a well-recognized and respected community leader, Nargis Ahmed also facilitated legal aid for Bangladeshi Americans. In 1991, she became one of the founding members and served as President of Bangladeshi American Public Affairs Front (BAPAF) for the 2003-2004 term. Prior to that, she served 6 years as General Secretary, 2 years as Vice President, and 2 years as Senior Vice President for BAPAF. This organization motivates the members of the Bangladeshi community to actively participate in mainstream political activities including lobbying for the establishment of the rights for Bangladeshi immigrants in the U.S. and amnesty for those who are residing in the U.S. without proper status. 

             She was elected as the Executive Secretary of Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America (FOBANA), for a 3-year term beginning in 2001. In 2017, she was appointed as the first and only female convener of FOBANA in its 34-year history. Under her leadership, the Drama Circle served as host committee of FOBANA 2019 at the famed Nassau Coliseum, and hosted 8000 attendees. This made history for being the largest attendance of any of the annual FOBANA conventions in the years or host cities prior.
She is active in a variety of civic and cultural organizations promoting Bengali music, theater, and arts. Outside of professional interests, she is an avid world traveler, art appreciator, and enjoys hosting social gatherings.

                In 1994, Nargis Ahmed founded The Drama Circle which is the most popular theater organization amongst Bangladeshis living in the States. As the founding President, she led Drama Circle to host various well attended functions. Many of which were used as platforms by Civic and State elected officials to connect with their Bangladeshi constituents. Drama Circle also pioneered the largest celebration of the Bangla New Year ‘POHELA BOISHAKH’ in the States, and has made vast efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of Bangladesh. Besides working in the community, Drama Circle believes in standing up for humanity. It came to the aid of families of the September 11th victims and has donated generously to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance NYC. Drama Circle contributed significantly toward Bangladeshi participation in the Census 2000 and has collaborated with the Cancer Society of America.

            Nargis Ahmed is no stranger to mainstream local politics; for the Asian American Democratic Association of Queens she served as a Co-chairman of the Voter Registration committee. She had also been elected as Member-at-Large of the New York State Democratic Party’s South Asian Pacific division, after which she was selected and appointed by then Queens Borough President, Helen Marshall, to serve as a member of Community Board 8, in 2002. She is presently still an active member of Queens CB8, and the first South Asian female member on their Board.

Currently, Nargis serves the community as the Director of Desi Senior Center, the largest senior care facilities in place for the aging demographic of South Asians in Queens. The Desi Senior Center has been situated within Jamaica Muslim Center since 2014, and managed by India Home Inc.            

In 2014, she was selected to be the Secretary General of the Advisory Council of Al-Mamoor Islamic School in NY.

            She has dedicated her life to serve the people regardless of their race, nationality, or religion. For her commitment, she has received many awards of recognition from various organizations such as AFL-CIO, Commission on the Dignity of Immigrants, Asian American Democratic Association of Queens, Bangladesh Society of New York, and the Bangladesh Consulate General of New York. She has also been honored with accolades and citations from Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, City Council members John Liu, David Weprin, Helen Sears, Senator John D. Sabini, Senator Ada L. Smith, the late Assemblyman Jose Peralta, as well as two Proclamations from the City Council of New York.

Most recently, she received two special Commendations from the Office of the City Comptroller William C. Thompson and again from his successor Scott M. Stringer in May 2014.

            Nargis Ahmed is a mother to two daughters, Munira and Kainath Minerva Ahmed. She lives in Jamaica Hills, Queens with her husband, Mustaque Ahmed RPh, and children.