Michigan City Names Street After Former PM Khaleda Zia

The city of Hamtramck in Michigan, United States, has officially renamed a section of Carpenter Street as Khaleda Zia Street in honour of former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

The decision was approved by the Hamtramck City Council and applies to the stretch of Carpenter Street between Joseph Campau Avenue and Conant Street.

The renaming recognises Khaleda Zia’s political leadership, her role in Bangladesh’s democratic struggles, and her contributions to the country’s modern political history, according to party sources.

The initiative was made possible with the active support of four Bangladeshi-origin councillors currently serving on the Hamtramck City Council, reflecting the growing civic engagement of the Bangladeshi diaspora in local governance.

Members of the Bangladeshi community in the United States have described the move as more than a symbolic gesture, viewing it as an international acknowledgement of Bangladesh’s political leadership and democratic journey.

This is not the first instance of a street in the United States being named after a Bangladeshi leader. Earlier, a street in Chicago was named in honour of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman.

With the addition of Khaleda Zia Street in Michigan, another chapter of Bangladesh’s political legacy has been permanently commemorated on US soil.

Hamtramck, widely known for its ethnically diverse population, is expected to see this gesture further strengthen social and cultural ties between Bangladesh and the United States.

Khaleda Zia passed away on December 30 and was laid to rest with state honours beside the grave of her husband, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka.