In a heartfelt tribute to Bangladesh’s iconic leader, the city of Hamtramck in Michigan has renamed a portion of Carpenter Street as ‘Khaleda Zia Street.’ This move honors the late former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who passed away on December 30 at the age of 80.
The Hamtramck City Council unanimously approved the name change for the section between Joseph Campau and Conant Street. Spearheaded by council members of Bangladeshi origin, the decision celebrates Zia’s enduring political legacy and her profound influence on the local Bangladeshi community.
Hamtramck, long known for its evolving demographics, has become a beacon of immigrant integration. Once dubbed ‘Little Warsaw’ for its Polish-American roots, the city now hosts America’s largest Bangladeshi population outside major metros. This street renaming symbolizes the community’s rising prominence in shaping the city’s political and social fabric.
The council’s composition reflects these shifts: it’s entirely Muslim, with a Muslim mayor, police chief, and all members. Recent elections made history with the first all-Muslim city council in the US, sparking national debates on identity, governance, and religion in public life. Local leaders insist these changes mirror the will of residents and the realities of a diversifying electorate.
For Bangladeshi immigrants and their families in Hamtramck, the new street name carries deep emotional weight. It’s more than symbolic—it’s a recognition of their contributions to civic life. City signs now feature English alongside Arabic and Bengali, underscoring the multicultural transformation.
This gesture arrives amid reflections on Zia’s towering role in Bangladeshi politics, where she served as prime minister twice and led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) through turbulent times. Supporters view the renaming as a bridge between her legacy and the diaspora’s aspirations in America.
As Hamtramck continues to redefine itself, this street stands as a testament to resilience, adaptation, and the power of community voices in local democracy.