TOWAMENCIN – The air is warm but refreshingly comfortable, as the room is filled with about 20-30 students, all sharing one common trait- their appreciation for their collective identity and community. 

This past Thursday, Bengali Club met for its first general membership meeting of 2022-2023, sharing its values and visions for the new year. President Jamee Islam is excited for the upcoming year. 

“I want to create a safe space for fellow students in the Bengali Community. I think it is valuable that they connect with other students like them not only to gain a better understanding and appreciation of their culture but to feel included at North Penn. I want to organize as many events as possible that will help achieve that this year and ensure that this club is here to stay in the future.” Islam said. 

Islam was just a member of the Bengali Cultural Club last year. As a member, he felt as though the club didn’t have a vision and was on a downward trend. He wanted to reverse that notion.

“I really hoped to take initiative in cooperation with the other cabinet members this year and we have been really enthusiastic about reviving it,” Islam explained. 

These other cabinet members are vice-president Ahnaf Tausif, treasurer Shafy Jalal, secretary Fariha Shoyab, historian Taqi Tahmid, and event chair Sharanya Gupta. Islam mentions their enthusiasm and praises each member for their willingness to take initiative and turn the club around. 

During the meeting, they shared their planned events for the year which included a Movie Night, a Bengali Dinner, a Bengali Cultural Show, and a trip to Dorney Park. Islam emphasized the Bengali Cultural Show to the members and his reasons are more than great. 

“It is a huge event of celebration and showcase of talent, food, clothes, and music. It’s a perfect way to bring our community together and showcase our culture to the broader north Penn student body and families” Islam stated. 

Hoping to change a long-standing narrative, Bengali Cultural Club (BCC) is more than a club to these students. It is an embodiment of their lives and a way for them to express their love for their identity. They hope to share their culture with you.