Passaic County recognizes local Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander leaders

The Passaic County Board of County Commissioners on May 27, 2025, held an Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month ceremony that included cultural performances and proclamations honoring local community leaders.

Commissioner John Bartlett opened the event, noting the county has run the celebration for more than a decade and calling attention to AAPI New Jersey's teaching fellowship for K–12 educators. "This is a wonderful celebration," Bartlett said, noting the state mandate to teach AAPI history in K–12 classrooms and saying the community has long contributed to New Jersey history.

Chairman John Curry praised the county's practice of recognizing different communities and introduced several honorees. Proclamations were read into the record for Tahirul (Tayar/Tehar) Islam, Gholam Rabani Chowdhury and Minerva Gutman. Mukesh Pandya was cited as an honoree who could not attend; officials said his proclamation will be presented at a later meeting.

Tahirul Islam thanked the board and the community, opening in Bengali and saying, "Assalamu alaikum and good evening everyone. First and foremost, I thank Allah... I am deeply honored to be acknowledged during this Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month." Islam also noted his local charitable work cited in the proclamation, including distributing PPE and supporting education in Bangladesh.

Gholam Rabani Chowdhury accepted his recognition and described his history as an early Bangladeshi immigrant to Paterson, listing community service and local businesses that the proclamation credited with supporting immigrant residents.

Dr. Minerva Gutman, recognized for a decades-long career in nursing education, said the award reminded her of the need for more people to serve the health-care system. "This is a worthwhile profession," she said, describing recent graduations and the students she has taught.

The program included a classical Bharatanatyam performance by guru Malini (Malini/Malini) Warrior and students Myra Doshi and Dania (Dania/Dania) Warrior; the performers received certificates and photos with county officials.

County Clerk Danielle Ireland Imhoff and representatives of the congressional delegation provided certificates and commendations for the honorees. The ceremony concluded with remarks from commissioners and an invitation to a reception and buffet in the building’s foyer.

Why it matters: The event highlighted local civic recognition of AAPI leaders and organizations and underscored county and state efforts to acknowledge AAPI history in education and community programming. Several honorees were recognized for long-standing community service, immigrant entrepreneurship and contributions to health care and local nonprofits.

The board then paused to allow attendees to use the reception before resuming the regular meeting agenda.