ABJA holds AGM, elects 17-member executive committee in Sydney

Image: Collected

SYDNEY: The Australia Bangladesh Journalists Association (ABJA) held its annual general meeting (AGM) and election at the Red Rose Function Centre in Rockdale, Sydney, on Sunday.

Outgoing president Mohammad Abdul Matin presided over the meeting, which began at noon in a festive atmosphere.

Speakers at the meeting stressed the importance of ethical and objective journalism, professional dignity, mutual cooperation and collective advocacy for the Bangladeshi diaspora.

They also called for revitalising organisational activities, strengthening solidarity among media professionals, expanding professional networks and projecting a positive image of the Bangladeshi-Australian community to mainstream institutions.

Representatives of civic, cultural and professional organisations, along with academics, writers and political figures, attended the event.

Among the attendees were Freedom Fighter Enayet Rahim Belal, Councillor Shireen Akter, former councillor Mohammad Zaman Titu, Bangladesh Association of Australia President Monirul Haque George, Bangladesh Business Forum President Abdul Ratan Khan, Australia-Bangladesh Business Council Chairperson Faiz Dewan, Janmobhumi TV Chairman Abu Reza Arefin and Australia Bangladesh Press and Media Club President Rahmat Ullah.

Others included Barrister Upal Amin, NSW parliamentary candidate for Canterbury-Bankstown; Chittagong Club Australia President Saiful Hasan Chowdhury; former CCA president Syed Akram Ullah; and ABJA adviser Gama Abdul Quader.

Addressing the gathering as an invited guest, lawyer and Australia Awami League President Dr Mohammad Sirajul Haque criticised Bangladesh’s prevailing political situation, alleging that 126 people had recently been killed in prisons in the country under politically motivated circumstances.

Following the general meeting, the independent Election Commission took charge of the election process. As each executive post received only one nomination, all 17 candidates were declared elected unopposed.

The three-member election panel comprised Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr Wali-ul Islam, Dr Sabreen Farooqui and Dr Mohammad Mizanur Rahman.

The newly elected executive committee is expected to lead the association into a new chapter, with a focus on strengthening Bengali-language journalism in Australia.