BNP leaders and activists in New York gathered in Jackson Heights on Monday evening, holding processions and chanting slogans as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was on his way to the city to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Jackson Heights, a neighbourhood with a large Bangladeshi-American community, was lively with BNP supporters carrying banners and festoons and joining separate programmes organised by the BNP’s New York City unit, Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas) and the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal.

The activists chanted slogans including “Tarique Rahman is coming, the streets are shaking” and “Welcome to Tarique Rahman in New York”, expressing their enthusiasm over the Prime Minister’s arrival.

Local BNP leaders also spoke at the gathering, highlighting various activities of the government.

A BNP local activist Parvez said BNP leaders and activists should remain united, while expressing his opposition to the Awami League.

Another BNP activist Khokon said they planned to gather outside John F Kennedy International Airport to welcome Tarique when he arrives in New York.

Earlier, BNP supporters living in New York and other US states had also gathered in Jackson Heights in recent days, holding processions ahead of the Prime Minister’s arrival.

Shafiul Alam, a BNP supporter living in New York, said Tarique’s visit was a major occasion for BNP supporters, with many leaders, activists and supporters travelling from different states to see the Prime Minister and welcome him.

“Tarique Rahman is coming to New York. It is a major occasion for us,” he said.

Sabbir Ahmed, who travelled from California, said Tarique’s first address to the UN General Assembly as Bangladesh’s prime minister would be an important occasion.

“We are eagerly waiting to hear him present Bangladesh’s new vision and plans for a new Bangladesh before world leaders,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left Dhaka early Monday for New York to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

He, along with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and other members of his entourage, left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 5:50 am by a Turkish Airlines flight, Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atikur Rahman Rumon said.

Local Government Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Chief Whip of Parliament Nurul Islam and senior government officials saw the Prime Minister off at the VIP lounge of the airport.

Tarique is scheduled to arrive at John F Kennedy International Airport at around 5:55 pm local time.

Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Irene Zubaida Khan and Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Tareq Md Ariful Islam are scheduled to receive him at the airport.

A motorcade will then escort the Prime Minister to the Hyatt Grand Central New York, where he will stay during his visit.

Tarique is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on September 24, making his maiden speech at the world body as prime minister.

He is also scheduled to hold a series of bilateral and high-level meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly, including meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, European Council President António Costa, World Bank President Ajay Banga and Boeing Global President Brendan Nelson.

The Prime Minister is also expected to meet several heads of government and senior officials, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

The Prime Minister will also attend a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump for heads of state and government at The New York Palace hotel on September 22.

The Rohingya crisis is also expected to feature prominently during the visit, with Bangladesh planning a high-level meeting on the issue.

New York has tightened security around the UN headquarters ahead of the 81st General Assembly, with the NYPD, US Secret Service, FBI, State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service and UN Police jointly overseeing security.

The city has also issued a “Gridlock Alert” for September 21-25, warning of extensive street closures and traffic delays across Manhattan during the UNGA week.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to return to Dhaka on September 25.