Cox’s Bazar, March 31 – Like the rest of the country, the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar are witnessing a joyous celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, marked by enthusiasm and deep emotions.
On Monday morning, Eid prayers were held across all camps, where Rohingya refugees embraced each other in a gesture of unity and festivity. The spirit of Eid was evident among Rohingya children, who reveled in the celebrations despite their difficult circumstances.
However, for many Rohingya refugees, this Eid carries a deeper significance—some believe it could be their last Eid-ul-Fitr in exile.
A Renewed Hope for Returning Home
Their longing for home gained momentum during Ramadan when Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor, accompanied UN Secretary-General António Guterres for an Iftar gathering and spoke of the hope for their safe repatriation.
Just a day before Eid, a video message from Dr. Yunus’ official Facebook page reinforced this commitment, addressing the Rohingya as “guests” and reaffirming the vision of their eventual return to Myanmar.
Prayers for Bangladesh and a Return to Arakan
At a mosque in Camp-5, Khatib Mohammad Oliullah (39) led the Eid congregation, offering heartfelt prayers for Bangladesh and for the realization of their dream to return home.
Speaking in his native Rohingya dialect, he expressed,
“InshaAllah, next Eid we will celebrate in Arakan. But we will never forget Bangladesh for sheltering us.”
A Childhood Lost in Exile
Among the worshippers was Rokim, a Rohingya youth who was only 11 years old when he fled Myanmar in 2017. Now a teenager, he reflects on the lost years of his childhood, saying,
“Whenever I think of my childhood in Arakan, I feel like crying. We just want to go back—that is our home.”
Heightened Security Across the Camps
Security was a key concern as law enforcement agencies intensified monitoring across the Rohingya settlements. The Armed Police Battalion (APBn) reported that additional forces were deployed in all camps to prevent untoward incidents during the celebrations.
Despite the challenges, the Eid festivities in the Rohingya camps were filled with prayers, reflections, and the unwavering hope of returning home someday.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Collected
