This is the first time in Portugal’s political history that a young Bangladeshi has been elected to its body.
Sajin Ahmed Kawshik, a local from Matlab upazila of Chandpur, has earned the distinction of being the first Bangladeshi to be a member of Juventude Socialista (Socialist Youth), the youth organization of the Portuguese Socialist Party.
Kawshik’s panel won the held political council of the organization and he was elected as a member of the executive body held on November 24. There, he was elected as the Immigration Secretary in the youth assembly by the vote of all the executive body members.
This is the first time in Portugal’s political history that a young Bangladeshi has been elected to the structure of the Portuguese Youth Socialist Party. João Pereira, president of the party’s metropolitan branch in Lisbon, made the announcement at the political council held at the Socialist Party’s headquarters in Lisbon.
João Pereira said: “Immigrants deserve equal rights like everyone else. Sajin is a wonderful person and will take this work forward.”
From his early years, Sajin harbored a deep desire to connect with people, feeling their pain as if it were his own. He gets this inspiration from his father, MA Quddus, who is a freedom fighter and also the current Matlab upazila chairman, and dedicates his body of work to his family.
During the difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic, Sajin, despite being in Hungary to study, founded the “Matlab Helpline”.
This initiative provided essential emergency services such as telemedicine, oxygen, ambulances, and food supplies, fulfilling the wishes of more than 5,000 people.
Not only did Matlab’s helpline feature very important services, but it also established an oxygen bank and ambulance service, with two doctors committed to supporting the cause. Sajin’s selfless determination during the pandemic showed the strength of the network and encouraged those around her.
After Covid, Sajin embarked on a new bankruptcy in Portugal, where he started a small business. His interest in politics, which he cultivated as undersecretary of the Central Committee of the Bangladesh Students’ League, discovered a new direction in Portugal.
Discovering a large network of Bangladeshi immigrants, Sajin discovered the need to defend his concerns within the Portuguese political landscape.
With unwavering determination, he joined the Portuguese Socialist Party and has become an integral component of its youth. After persistent efforts, Sajin reached a vital milestone: he was elected Secretary of Immigration of the Socialist Youth of the city of Lisbon.
This marked a historic moment as the first Bangladeshi to hold that position, allowing him to articulate well the demanding situations faced by immigrants.
As she navigates the Portuguese political arena, Sajin presents herself as a beacon of hope, a testament to the enduring strength of service, compassion, and the pursuit of a better world for all.
“Despite being in Hungary for my education, I returned to Bangladesh to actively contribute to helping my community during the challenging times of the pandemic,” Sajin recollected.
“After the COVID-19 situation, I moved to Portugal and started my career in a small business. My interest in politics, born from my political connections in Bangladesh, led me to explore Portugal’s political landscape. Discovering a significant number of Bangladeshi immigrants in Portugal, I identified the importance of connecting with a political party that supports immigrants.
“I am dedicated to living for society, prioritizing the well-being of people over non-public wealth. My commitment is driven by a preference for unconditional love and respect for meaningful service to the community. “
Sajin now aspires to build a bridge between immigrants and Portuguese to facilitate the future of all immigrants and expand mutual relations.