Journalists' meet in Sydney: ABJA President Matin and Editor Faisal

A new executive committee of the Australia Bangladesh Journalists Association (ABJA), an organization of Bangladeshi journalists living in Australia, has been formed amid colorful celebrations. Mohammad Abdul Matin has been elected as the president of the new committee and Faisal Ahmed has been elected as the general secretary.

The organization's annual general meeting and elections were held at the Red Rose Function Centre in Rockdale, Sydney on Sunday. In addition to the organization's members, people from different classes and professions of the expatriate Bangladeshi community, social and political figures, and representatives of civil society were present. The venue was filled with their participation.

Dr. Ratan Kundu, Akidul Islam, AHM Masum Billah, Mohammad Rezaul Haque and Ataur Rahman have been elected as vice-presidents in the newly formed 17-member executive committee. Mohammad Ziaul Kabir Jihan has been elected as joint general secretary. Haji Mohammad Delwar Hossain has been elected as organizing secretary, Dilara Jahan as treasurer, Suhrid Sohan Haque as publicity and publication secretary, Asif Iqbal as media and communication secretary and Rezaul Karim as cultural secretary.

Apart from this, SM Didar Hossain, Ark Hasan, Shariful Islam Swapan and Mohammad Jasim Uddin have been elected as executive members. Earlier, the meeting began under the chairmanship of the organization's recently outgoing president Mohammad Abdul Matin. The program was conducted by Akidul Islam and began with recitation from the Holy Quran, Gita and Bible. Later, the national anthems of Bangladesh and Australia were played. General Secretary Faisal Ahmed presented the organization's annual report at the meeting. Treasurer Dilara Jahan presented the financial report.

The Election Commission was headed by Professor Dr. Wali ul Islam, Dr. Sabrina Farooqui OAM and Professor Dr. Mohammad Mizanur Rahman. The election activities were conducted by Election Officer AHM Masum Billah.

Councillor Ibrahim Khalil Masud was felicitated with flowers for his candidacy for the New South Wales state parliamentary election at the meeting. Veteran freedom fighters, councillors, business leaders, lawyers, journalists and senior community leaders were present as invited guests at the event. Representatives from various classes and professions spoke among them.

The speakers emphasized the importance of practicing responsible journalism abroad, protecting the professional dignity of journalists, and working collectively on issues of interest to the Bangladeshi diaspora community. They expressed hope that the new leadership will play a leading role in further energizing the organization's activities and maintaining unity and solidarity among journalists.