As Ramadan draws to a close, many people start thinking about Eid celebrations and getting together with family. The expectation of going home, however, is tinged with uncertainty for Dhaka University (DU) international students.
Foreign students find themselves celebrating Eid away from their families, creating strong bonds of camaraderie with their peers at the university's PJ Hartog International Hall despite exorbitant flight costs and logistical challenges.
Reza Shafin, a postdoctoral student from Jammu and Kashmir, India, expresses his longing for family while cherishing the camaraderie among fellow Muslim students. Despite being separated from loved ones, he finds solace in the warmth and hospitality extended by the DU community.
The university has suspended all academic activities from Thursday onwards, granting students a respite until April 15. While many have embarked on journeys to their hometowns, a sense of solidarity prevails among those who remain at Sir PJ Hartog International Hall, where Eid prayers and communal meals foster a sense of belonging.
Among the residents, Ibrahim, a Nigerian student, laments the distance from his family but finds comfort in the companionship of friends and the arrangements made by the university. Similarly, Ishwar Prasad, a Nepali student, appreciates the extended holiday but opts to celebrate Eid with his Muslim friends at the university due to prohibitive flight costs.
Dr Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan, Provost of Sir PJ Hartog International Hall, underscores the university's commitment to ensuring that foreign students feel supported and included during the festive season. While some students may journey home, efforts are made to create a festive atmosphere at the hall, with communal meals and prayers organized to foster a sense of community and belonging.
Despite being far from home, the foreign students of DU find solace in each other's company and the hospitality extended by their adopted university. As they come together to celebrate Eid, they are reminded that amidst the distance, a new family and cherished friendships await, enriching their festive experience with warmth and camaraderie.