A good number of expatriates have returned back to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their friends and family.
The shopkeepers are found jubilant as the migrants are purchasing expensive items from their shops. The arrival of the migrants has changed the atmosphere at markets and shopping centres in Sylhet. An owner of a fashion house at Al Hamra Shopping City of Zindabazar said the sale at their shops has increased than the previous year. The immigrants are purchasing the items which worth more than Tk5,000. Many people of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts of Sylhet division live and work abroad. Among the migrants, about 550,000 and 2m live in United Kingdom and Middle East respectively. The immigrants usually visit the country around this time of the year as summer vacation in the UK starts in July which lasts until August. Executive Officer of Sylhet Overseas Centre Shamsul Alam told the Dhaka Tribune he does not have idea about exactly how many immigrants have recently come back to the country to celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr. But many immigrants have returned back as summer vacation is going on in the UK now, he said, adding that all flight bound for London-Sylhet has been already booked for July-August. Like many others, residents of Londoni Road of Subidabazar area of Sylhet Zahedur Rashid Babor and his wife Surma Amina Rashid Khanom returned to Sylhet on July 24 to celebrate Eid. Babor, who lives in Manchester of the UK, said he had come to the country after almost eight years. "I am feeling happy as I will celebrate Eid with my relatives," he said. But he also expressed his dissatisfaction as he had to waste a lot of time every due to traffic congestion. He said celebrating Eid in Bangladesh gave the feeling of umbilical connection which cannot be found anywhere. Shopping adds a different gala to the celebration which is not available in Europe-America. Despite being living with many obstacles, the poor people of Bangladesh also go to markets to buy Eid items which inspires him a lot, he said. Managing Director of Reservation and Sales In charge of Sylhet office of Biman Bangladesh Shahnewaz Mozumder said immigrants normally come to the country by London-Sylhet flight. He also said all London-Sylhet flights have already been booked, he added. Direct flights of the route lands in Osmani International Airport every Mondays and Thursdays.