The city of Hamtramck has renamed a section of Carpenter Street, between Joseph Campau Avenue and Conant Street, in honour of former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia. Zia served three terms as the head of Bangladesh and chaired the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
The decision was approved by the Hamtramck City Council, where four councillors of Bangladeshi origin played a key role in securing the renaming. Members of the local expatriate community described the move as more than symbolic, viewing it as international recognition of Bangladesh’s political history and struggle.
This is not the first time a US street has honoured a Bangladeshi leader. Previously, Chicago named a street after the late President Ziaur Rahman. Hamtramck has become a hub for Arab and Asian immigrants over the past three decades, including residents from Yemen and Bangladesh.
Census data show that over 40% of Hamtramck’s population is foreign-born. Nearly 70% of residents are Muslim, including the mayor, the police chief, and all city council members. The street renaming highlights the city’s diverse demographic and its strong Bangladeshi presence, reflecting both local and international appreciation for Bangladeshi political leadership.
The community sees the move as a gesture strengthening cultural identity and connecting the Bangladeshi diaspora to their heritage, while raising awareness about Bangladesh’s political figures and history in the United States.