Hamtramck, Michigan—a city transformed by waves of immigration—has immortalized Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia by renaming part of Carpenter Street after her. The late leader, who died at 80 on December 30, now has a lasting mark in this Midwestern enclave.

City council members, many of Bangladeshi descent, championed the change for the stretch between Joseph Campau and Conant Streets. They framed it as a nod to Zia’s political stature and her inspiration for the thriving local diaspora.

This isn’t just about one street; it’s a snapshot of Hamtramck’s remarkable journey. From its Polish heyday in the early 20th century to becoming the first Muslim-majority city in America, the population influx from Yemen, Bangladesh, and beyond has rewritten its story. The all-Muslim city council and leadership team embody this new era.

National headlines once buzzed when Amer Ghalib became mayor, igniting discussions on faith in governance. Yet, officials emphasize that decisions like this stem from grassroots support and demographic realities, not controversy.

Bangladeshi residents see the renaming as profoundly personal. In a city where Bengali joins English and Arabic on public signs, it affirms their place. Leaders hail it as acknowledgment of the community’s economic and cultural impacts.

Khaleda Zia’s life was one of defiance and leadership, heading governments in the 1990s and 2000s while navigating Bangladesh’s volatile politics. Her death prompted global mourning, and this tribute from afar highlights her transnational appeal.

Hamtramck’s evolution challenges notions of American identity, proving that local actions can echo international legacies. As the city forges ahead, ‘Khaleda Zia Street’ will remind passersby of a woman who symbolized strength for millions.