This year, the religious festival of Eid-ul-Azha brought a different atmosphere to the refugee camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas of Cox's Bazar.
On Monday, Rohingyas in the camps performed the Eid prayers around 8am.
After the prayers, the imam and worshippers were seen breaking down in tears. The Muslims participating in the prayer asked Allah for justice against the persecution they have faced and prayed for a dignified and safe repatriation to their homeland in Myanmar. They also expressed gratitude to the government and people of Bangladesh for providing them shelter.
Reports from various camps revealed that from early morning, Rohingya children and teenagers, dressed in new clothes, were seen celebrating and enjoying themselves on the camp streets.
Despite intermittent rain, adults also joined the prayers wearing new clothes.
How do Rohingyas celebrate Eid in camps?Mohammad Jubair, acting chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Humanity, said: "This is the seventh Eid-ul-Azha we are spending in Bangladesh. While in Myanmar, we used to sacrifice 2-3 large cows, but here we haven’t had that opportunity."
He added: "It’s been almost seven years now, yet we have no resolution in sight. For Rohingyas, there is no joy in Eid. We are living a painful life in an open prison. Despite this, we hope to celebrate next Eid in our homeland."
According to the Rohingyas, there are 1,380 mosques and 970 madrasas across the 32 Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar. Refugee Rohingyas offered their Eid prayers in these mosques and religious institutions.
Mohammad Alam, chairman of the Development Committee of Leda Camp in Teknaf, said: "Compared to previous years, this time there was a greater festive atmosphere in the camp. Additionally, 80 sacrificial animals were slaughtered this year, which is more than in previous years."
He added: "After the Eid prayers, special prayers were offered for returning to our homeland with dignity and rights. Prayers were also made for the people killed in the conflicts in Palestine and Myanmar."
Nur Kamal, a resident of Balukhali Rohingya camp, said: "Rohingyas never truly feel the joy of Eid because many of our ancestors and relatives are still in our homeland. It's been almost seven years, and we haven't been able to visit their graves. What could be more painful than that? Though the children and teenagers in the camp are enjoying Eid, the adults have no joy at all."
Commenting on the refugee life, Rohingya leader Mohammad Amin said: "We couldn't celebrate Eid here the way we did in our country because, despite everything, this is not our home. That’s why there is no joy for us."
He further mentioned: "In August 2017, the Myanmar army carried out a genocide against the Rohingyas. Since then, this month feels like a dark period."
Additional DIG Md Amir Jafar, commander of the 8th Armed Police Battalion (APBm), said that the Rohingyas were celebrating Eid in the camp. However, they were encouraged not to leave the camp, and strict monitoring was in place to ensure no untoward incidents occurred.
