International students at Bangladesh’s OIC campus recreate Eid atmosphere from home

• International students at the Islamic University of Technology in Bangladesh celebrate Eid Al-Fitr.
• The university, a subsidiary of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, houses nearly 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
• Afghan student Jamal Hazara hasn’t been home during Eid for several years.

On Thursday, hundreds of international students at an Organization of Islamic Cooperation campus in Bangladesh observed Eid Al-Fitr, endeavoring to recreate their home celebrations and share aspects of their respective cultures with friends. The Islamic University of Technology in Gazipur, a subsidiary of the OIC, accommodates nearly 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students, including around 300 from Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, Afghanistan, and other Muslim-majority countries worldwide.

Jamal Hazara, an Afghan student completing his electronics program, has not been home during Eid for several years. “Observing Eid far away from family is very hard,” he told Arab News, “There is a popular saying in my country that people feel very good during Eid, and they should dance in front of their parents. Of course, we miss family a lot.” As he prepared to cook Kabuli Pulau — an iconic Afghan dish — with other students from his country.

“Every community on campus does the same and shares their food culture with others.”

Hazara learned to cook the traditional dish of rice with caramelized carrots and marinated meat from his mother.

“All Afghans can cook this food. I love it most because it’s something very unique. We can’t find it in Bangladesh. It reminds us of the taste of home food, and it’s always better than the outside food,” he said.

“Whatever our mothers have taught us, prepared for us at home, we miss that food here.”

For Ayman Elsadig, Hazara’s Sudanese colleague pursuing his master’s degree in telecommunications, the favorite food to share was maamoul, butter cookies filled with dates.

“It’s made of dates and flour and water. We put the mixture in the oven and fry it with oil. At the end, a little sugar is spread on top,” he said.

“To me, it’s a very special kind of food. In Bangladesh, we don’t see many date trees. But in my country, we grow plenty … so, the taste of dates in maamoul reminds me of my country. It always reminds me of my home,” Elsadig said.

“On different occasions, my local friends used to treat me with their local food and culture. So, I am also trying to do the same thing … so that they can feel how our Sudanese food tastes.”

Khalil Al-Moliki, a Yemeni student from Sanaa, also desired to prepare a date desert dish for his friends. He selected ka’ak, a traditional sweet and savory brioche — a Yemeni staple for special occasions.

“It’s mandatory for each family to have ka’ak on Eid day. It requires flour, sugar, eggs, to prepare … It’s a long process,” he said.

“On every Eid throughout my life, I’ve had ka’ak and it’s something very traditional for us.”

Also Read

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Five Bangladeshi players chase after ball to stop boundary

A humorous incident occurred during Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test. Five...