Rohingyas celebrate Eid amidst mixed feelings

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Abdur Rahman, Teknaf
Published : 18:35, Aug 12, 2019 | Updated : 18:49, Aug 12, 2019

Rohingya Muslims are seen offering Eid payers on Monday (Aug 12).Amidst mixed emotions, Rohingyas residing in Cox’s Bazaar attended the Eid prayers. They prayed for a safe and dignified return to their homeland and thanked the Bangladeshi people for housing them.
At 7:30 am in the morning, prayers were held at more than 30 Rohingya camps; children were seen moving about in clean clothes. Many were seen in new clothes, sun glasses. The elderly are however mute since they are still haunted by the violence which forced them out of their homeland.
There are 1,200 mosques in 30 Rohingya camps and 642 religious seminary schools.
Rohingya are seen celebrating Eid-ul-Azha on Monday (Aug 12).Chairman of Leda Development Committee of Teknaf, Mohamamd Alam said: “We observed Eid but it has to be realised that this is not our land.”
While the children are in a jubilant mood, chairman of a camp, Mohammad Ekram, observes: “How long do we have to be a burden on this country?”
We want to go back to our homeland, he added, but said: “Repatriation is only possible when our conditions are met.”
A group of Rohingya girls are seen celebrating Eid-ul-Azhad on Monday (Aug 12).Teknaf UNO, Mohammad Rabiul Hasan, observes: “The prayers have ended peacefully and the camps are under surveillance for Eid.”
Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, Mohammad Abul Kalam, said: “With the support from NGOs and individuals, 3500 cows were sacrificed and under the UNO’s supervision, the meat was distributed.”
Rohingya girls are seen celebrating Eid-ul-Azhad on Monday (Aug 12).On Aug 25, 2017, around seven lakh Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh after the Burmese military launched a crackdown on the minority, following an attack on their security posts. With previous refugees, more than 1.1 million Rohingyas are living in 30 camps in Ukhia and Teknaf. Most are women and children.

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