By: RO Maung Shwe
In the quiet corners of Kutupalong refugee camp, under the flimsy shelter of tarpaulin and bamboo, lives a woman whose story reflects the deep scars and enduring strength of an entire people. Maimuna Begum, 36, originally from Fattorkila (Kyawkto township) in Arakan (Rakhine State), Myanmar, has lived through displacement, persecution, and personal tragedy—but she has never lost hope.
A Life Once Full of Promise
Maimuna was the third daughter of Monir Ahamed and Sokina Khatun, a respected and prosperous family who once owned land and shops in their township market. Her elder brother, Faruk Ahamed, was among the few Rohingya to graduate from Yangon University—a symbol of achievement and pride in a time when higher education was increasingly denied to their community.
Faruk was known for his bravery and commitment to justice. One morning, while at the market, he witnessed Rakhine civilians assaulting a poor shopkeeper over an unpaid debt. When the junta police (then known as Nasaka) arrived and arrested the shopkeeper, Faruk objected. For this, he was arrested and detained for three days.
His courage in confronting both the police and injustice earned him respect—but also suspicion from authorities and Rakhine nationalists. Over time, he became a well-known figure who spoke out against the abuses faced by the Rohingya. But his activism also meant danger.
Forced Relocation, Fragmented Lives
When Maimuna was just 14, the junta ordered all Rohingya families in Kyawkto township to leave. Her family, along with many others, were stripped of their properties and forcibly relocated to Maungdaw, scattered in small groups across different villages—ten families per location, an intentional move to break their community bonds.
The loss of their home and history devastated Maimuna’s father. Shortly afterward, he died of a heart attack. Her brother Faruk later left for Saudi Arabia to seek a more secure life and started a family there.
Building a New Life—and Losing It Again
Maimuna eventually married an educated man who ran a pharmacy in their village. Together, they had four children—two sons and two daughters—and for a brief period, life regained a sense of stability.
But that stability was short-lived.
In 2017, as the Myanmar junta intensified its campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya, the army stormed their village. Maimuna’s husband was arrested from his pharmacy, imprisoned without charge, and later sentenced to 20 years. She has not seen him since.
“Even then, we didn’t want to leave,” Maimuna said. “But when the army and Rakhine mobs began attacking women and children, we had no choice but to flee.”
Seeking Refuge, Facing New Hardships
Arriving in Bangladesh, Maimuna and her children were welcomed with kindness. She recalls receiving food, blankets, mosquito nets, and shelter from Bangladeshi authorities and humanitarian groups like WFP, UNHCR, IOM, and ACF. But over the years, support has dwindled—and life has grown harder, especially without her husband.
In 2024, a few long-term prisoners were released from junta prisons. Through them, Maimuna received a handwritten letter from her husband. He reassured her he was still alive, promised to return, and asked her to care for the children and his mother.
However, ongoing conflict between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) has complicated prisoner releases. Her husband, once held in Buthidaung jail, has since been transferred to Yangon.
A Mother Alone, But Not Defeated
Today, Maimuna bears the full weight of raising her four children. Her eldest son is in Grade 8 at a community school, and her second son studies at a local madrasa. Her two daughters are also doing well, and she regularly receives positive feedback from their teachers.
“Alhamdulillah, my relatives have not forgotten me. Their support helps me continue my children’s education,” she said.
Still, the burden is immense. Monthly education costs of 2,000 Bangladeshi Taka, along with clothes, school supplies, and food, are difficult to meet. Maimuna often endures gossip and judgment, but refuses to let it break her.
Her strength was tested again just three months ago, when a fire tore through their shelter, reducing it to ashes. With no income and no husband, she struggled to rebuild—especially during the cold season.
Holding On to Her Family’s Future
Despite everything, Maimuna remains focused. Her dream is simple but powerful: to raise her children well and reunite them with their father.
“I want to honor him by raising our children with dignity and education. Even if I’m alone, I will do it for them.”
Conclusion: A Testament of Resilience
Maimuna Begum’s story is one of immense loss—but also quiet strength. Her courage reflects the struggles of thousands of Rohingya women who are holding their families together amid injustice and exile. She may have lost her home, her husband, and her safety—but she has not lost hope.
In every corner of the camps, there are women like Maimuna—mothers, sisters, daughters—who carry the weight of a nation in exile. Their stories remind us that behind every statistic is a face, a family, and a future worth fighting for.
