Refugees celebrate the Feast of Sacrifice in what are open-air prisons. Tears and prayers for an end to the torture and a dignified return home. Shamsud Douza, Refugee Aid Commissioner: “2,200 animals distributed for sacrifices.” Saiful Hossain, resident of camp 13: “This is not our country, there is no joy.”
Cox’s Bazar () – Even in the 32 refugee camps of Ukhi and Teknaf, in Cox’s Bazar, where more than 1.1 million Rohingya refugees are housed, Eid-al-Adha is celebrated, the holiday that commemorates the will of Abraham to sacrifice his son. But the festive atmosphere is accompanied by dashed hopes of returning safely to Burma after seven years of life in Bangladesh, in camps that are effectively open-air prisons. Thoughts of the appalling repression inflicted on the group by the Myanmar military, in response to attacks by Arakan forces on 30 positions in Rakhine in August 2017, have all but faded.
During the assembly gathered for the occasion on the morning of Monday, June 17, many broke down in tears during prayers. They called for an end to inhuman torture and a dignified return home. In all the fields, the Rohingya, dressed in new clothes, were seen shouting and cheering in the streets since morning. Mohammad Zobair, acting president of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Humanity, sadly told : “This will be the seventh Eid-ul-Azha we have observed in Bangladesh. When we were in Myanmar, we used to sacrifice 2-3 big cows. But since we got here, we haven’t had this opportunity.” The hope is to celebrate the festival in Myanmar next year. This year, celebrations and prayers took place in the 1,380 mosques and 970 Noorani educational institutions (madrasas) in the 32 Rohingya camps of Cox’s Bazar, according to Rohingya leaders.
Deputy Commissioner for Refugee Relief and Repatriation, Shamsud Douza, reported that 1,800 cows and 400 goats were provided as sacrificial animals, a figure that has decreased compared to previous years. “We have received a total of 2,200 animals for the Rohingya, which is less than the demand. However, we are distributing the animals where they are most needed. After slaughter, the meat is distributed under the supervision of those in charge of the camp, assisted by local leaders,” he explains. However, this decline is accompanied by some exceptions. Mohammad Alam, chairman of the Leda camp development committee in Teknaf, said: “Compared to previous years, this year the Eid festival is more felt in the camp. Furthermore, 80 animals were sacrificed this time, a higher number than in previous years”. He added that prayers were also prayed for the Palestinians and those affected by the current conflict in Myanmar.
Saiful Hossian, a resident of Camp 13, shared his opinion: “Actually, the Rohingya have never experienced the joy of Eid because many, including our parents and grandparents, lie buried in our homeland. Today, I have not been able to visit their graves for seven years. What could be more difficult than this?” He added: “Although the children and adolescents seem happy in the camp, the adults are not. There is no money or opportunities to improve as refugees. Here we cannot celebrate Eid as we did in our country. After all , this is not our country, and there is no joy in it.”
Archbishop Lawrence S. Howlader, archbishop of Chattogram and president of the Episcopal Commission for Christian Unity and Interreligious Dialogue, conveyed his best wishes to Muslims on the occasion of Eid-al-Adha, the second most important religious holiday in the world. Islam. In his statement, he stated: “Muslim brothers and sisters sacrifice animals as a symbol of love for Allah. Apart from sacrificing animals, we also sacrifice all negative aspects such as envy, hatred and selfishness. I wish you all a peaceful Eid and full of blessings.”
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