…is a thorough and complete reformation and transformation of the very political culture of Bangladesh. What we need now more than ever is a thorough changing of the guard-a bona fide democratic regime change. While some may dismiss this as Mission Impossible for an impoverished, corruption-ridden nation like Bangladesh, President Barack Obama's decisive personal victory over the historic and formidable "glass ceiling" for African Americans should give all of us Bangladeshis (both native and probashi) hope for a better future. Instead of the same faces and dynastic families (or worse-war criminals) who have all basked in the noxious cesspool of corruption for decades, we need a new generation of progressive, accomplished, magnanimous, and virtuous leaders to lead our nation in a way which restores the faith and trust of the Bangladeshi people and reinvigorates the considerable regional and international respect we command as one of the few democracies of the Muslim world. These are the candidates who should be nominated by every existing political party because the people demand and deserve no less.

Indeed we need massive reform in every sector-from the way in which labor unions (such as those of the flourishing garment industry) are treated to the brave and industrious but underinvested institutions of law and order so that something as tragic and disgraceful as the so-called “BDR mutiny“ never occur again. One particular issue I'd like to see the Bangladeshi government tackle is oil and natural gas exploration and development in the Bay of Bengal as this has the real potential revolutionize the economic conditions of our people and our nation. I sincerely believe this is a vital investment for our future which we cannot fail in its implementation, especially with the recent and aggressive Burmese incursion into our territorial waters. Although I am certainly no war-mongerer or advocate of violence, I believe the military junta of Myanmar pose a fundamental existential threat to not only her neighbors but to her own people.

Yet such reform cannot take place under the status quo. Our nation has been in a state of crisis since independence and our citizens can and will no longer settle for mediocrity. We have been victimized for decades by the corrupt practices of the state and we will no longer cynically accept "politics as usual." Therefore we must put cast aside our petty differences and collectively unite as one: religious or secular; Muslim, Hindu, Christian, or Buddhist; Bangali or non-Bangali; rich or poor-for we are one people and this is one Bangladesh, our Bangladesh. Even in the aftermath of the historic 2008 general election (which has been hailed by many analysts as one of the most transparent, violence-free, and all-around democratic elections in South Asian history) the solution does not lie within the confines of the Awami League, the BNP, or any of the other 95 political parties. It is not contained within the context of partisan bickering, but in the unshakable strength and endurance of the Bangladeshi people.

As Bangabondhu once boldly declared to the world: "Nobody should try to suppress 70 million people for in their collective determination to achieve something nobody can suppress them today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow. They must win."

Then it was 70 million of our people actively striving and sacrificing for a socio-political revolution to liberate themselves from the oppressive heel of Pakistani colonialism and neo-imperialism as Bangladesh struggled for her birthright of independence and freedom for all of her citizens. Now we are over 150 million strong and the goal is a democratic revolution for liberation from gross incompetence, apathy and the noxious stain of corruption. Through my participation in my first Presidential election as a Bangladeshi-American Muslim citizen, I have witnessed true change begin its arduous yet beautiful journey through the American heartland, so surely the waves of reform must eventually but inevitably break down the oppressive bulwarks of corruption and sweep Bangladesh in its sweet embrace as well. Joy Bangla, for Insha’ Allah yes we can.