By: Hafizur Rahman
Abul Kalam, a 62-year-old resident of Etaleya Para in Maungdaw Township’s Ward 5, lived a modest but content life with his family of seven. His wife, Roshida Begum, and their five children—two sons and three daughters—were the heart of his middle-class household. Abul Kalam worked diligently to provide for his family and ensured his children had access to education.
However, in 2017, their lives were torn apart by the Myanmar government’s systematic persecution of the Rohingya community. The violence escalated dramatically, leaving the family in fear and uncertainty.
The Onslaught of Violence
The situation worsened in 2021 when the Arakan Army (AA) began occupying Muslim villages during its conflict with the Myanmar military junta. Describing the devastation, Abul Kalam said, “We lost our sleep, and we don’t have any work because of the fighting. They are using drones, bombs, and airstrikes on the Rohingya community, killing thousands in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, and Rathedaung. We don’t understand why they attack us.”
By December 2023, the Arakan Army forcibly took control of three Rohingya villages in Maungdaw Township, issuing an ultimatum: “Leave your villages, or we will shoot everyone.” Abul Kalam and his family were among those who had no choice but to flee their home. They sought refuge in a nearby school, only to face starvation and dire living conditions for two months.
Starvation and Loss
Forced deeper into the forests near Etaleya Para, the family, like countless others, survived for four months with little food, enduring unthinkable hardships. In July and August 2024, clashes between the Arakan Army and the junta escalated, exacerbating the Rohingya community’s suffering. Thousands of lives were lost due to targeted drone attacks, airstrikes, and other atrocities, while over 4,000 Rohingya were forced to flee to Bangladesh.
During this period of relentless violence, Abul Kalam faced his worst nightmare. His elder son, Umar Faruk, joined a group of villagers to retrieve food and supplies from their abandoned homes. Tragically, only half of them returned. Umar Faruk was among those killed by the Arakan Army.
Abul Kalam vividly recalled the moment he learned of his son’s death. “I lost consciousness for three hours. When I woke up, I went to bring my son’s body back.” He found Umar Faruk with a bullet wound to his head, his brain exposed. Overwhelmed with grief, Abul Kalam and a few others performed the funeral prayers and buried his son. “We cannot stay here any longer,” he said, tears streaming down his face.
Escaping to Bangladesh
The family’s ordeal didn’t end there. As they retreated from their village, the Arakan Army resumed firing, injuring Abul Kalam’s younger son, 15-year-old Shafayet Ullah, who was struck in the knee. Shafayet sustained severe injuries that left him unable to walk properly.
In June 2024, after months of suffering, Abul Kalam’s family made the desperate decision to flee to Bangladesh. They searched for a boat and eventually found one after two days. Brokers demanded an exorbitant 2 lakh taka per person, which they couldn’t afford. After negotiating, the price was reduced to 1 lakh per person.
The journey across the sea took two days. However, upon reaching the shores of Bangladesh, the family couldn’t pay the full fare. The brokers detained them for five days, demanding that relatives in the refugee camps collect the remaining amount. Through the efforts of their relatives, the family was eventually freed.
Life in the Camps
Now, Abul Kalam and his family reside in the Thankhali refugee camp. The loss of Umar Faruk continues to haunt them, while Shafayet Ullah’s untreated injuries are a constant reminder of their ordeal. Though admitted to an MSF hospital, Shafayet’s treatment has been insufficient, leaving him in chronic pain.
Despite everything, Abul Kalam remains resilient. His story is a testament to the unimaginable hardships faced by the Rohingya community—a harrowing account of loss, survival, and the enduring hope for a better future.
