More than 700,000 Rohingyas, who fled persecution of Myanmar military since Aug 2017, have celebrated Eid-ul-Azha for the first time outside their homeland.

With these, more than 1.1 million Rohingyas are currently living in refugee camps in Bangladesh, mostly in Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya and Teknaf.

These Rohingyas in refugee camps were seen in tears during the Eid day. After offering the Eid Prayer, everyone including the Imam burst into tears.

Such was the scene in all the mosques where Eid Prayer was arranged for the Rohingyas. Millions prayed for their safe and dignified repatriation to Rakhine.

Mohammad Ismail said, “Last year we couldn’t offer Eid prayer because we had to hide in Rakhine’s jungle. We are celebrating Eid this time around although, we couldn’t have Qurbani meat. At least we could offer the Eid prayer.”

Rohyinga woman Khaleda Begum became emotional when recalling the events of Rakhine that led her to Bangladesh. She said sobbing, “I lost my father when I was fleeing from Rakhine. He is no more. It’s our first Eid without our father, that too in a foreign land.”

“Why does God allow so much injustice to us?” she asked.

The 1.1 million Rohingyas who fled their homeland says, Myanmar authorities do not accept them as their citizens although they had been living in Rakhine for generations. The military has sowed the seeds of mistrust and hatred using fanatic Buddhism. They were stripped off citizenship in an act enacted in 1982. Afterwards, they were given different Identification Cards, namely—White Card, NVC and so on. Their identity became shady with time, making them stateless at a point.

This persecuted community is now awaiting safe repatriation.