By: RO Maung Shwe
Kabir Ahamed, a 110-year-old Rohingya refugee, has lived through a century of turmoil and perseverance. Born in Kuwasong Village, Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, Myanmar, Kabir now calls the Cox’s Bazar Rohingya Refugee Camp in Bangladesh his home.
“My father, Wahed Ali, was an elected chief of our village, which was then known as ‘Ruwathugiri.’ He served for ten years and was a wealthy man,” Kabir recalls proudly.
Early Life and Education
Kabir’s childhood was marked by hardship but also determination. He completed education up to class four, which was considered significant at the time. “I had to walk over four miles to attend primary school,” he says. However, systemic discrimination by the Myanmar government curtailed further education opportunities for Rohingyas, who were deliberately kept uneducated to suppress their voices.
Despite these barriers, Kabir became a successful businessman in his village with the support of his parents. He married a girl from the same village, and together they raised twelve children—seven sons and five daughters. Kabir worked tirelessly to expand his business and provide his children with education, a rare opportunity for Rohingyas. His youngest son became a religious teacher after completing Dawrah Hadith studies at the renowned Ahamodiya Madrasa in Myanmar. Several other children also completed their education and became successful in various fields.
Witnessing Political Turmoil
Kabir witnessed the rise and fall of numerous political movements in Myanmar, including the Muslim armed group ‘Furikka.’ “Some of their members were my friends, so I knew their vision. Unfortunately, they strayed from their purpose and engaged in unethical activities,” he laments. He believes that if ‘Furikka’ had maintained discipline and focus, they could have significantly advanced the rights of Rohingya people.
Forced Displacement Begins
In 1978, the Myanmar government initiated an inquiry targeting Rohingyas, demanding documents that were never issued to them. This was part of a systematic effort to force them out of the country. Torture, gang rapes, and violence became widespread. To protect his family, Kabir sent his parents and daughters to refugee camps in Bangladesh while he and his wife stayed behind with documents proving their land ownership. After a year, a repatriation agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar allowed his family to return to their village.
Repeated Refugee Journeys
Kabir’s life has been marked by seven displacements as a refugee. In 1991, his family fled to Bangladesh again due to military control in Myanmar. After three years, they were repatriated, regaining their land and homes. However, the violence resumed in 2012 when Kabir witnessed the massacre of Rohingya Muslims by Rakhine civilians, with support from the government.
In 2016, attacks in Maungdaw escalated into brutal crackdowns. “Women were raped, civilians were killed, and villages were burned,” he recounts. This forced 80,000 Rohingyas, including Kabir’s third son and his family, to flee to Bangladesh. The situation worsened in August 2017 when the Burmese government launched a massive operation targeting the Rohingya ethnic group, resulting in one of the largest humanitarian crises in recent history.
Life in Refugee Camps
When Kabir crossed the border into Bangladesh in 2017, he was overwhelmed by the compassion of the Bangladeshi people. “They gave us food when we were starving and shelter when we had no place to go,” he says. Now living in the refugee camp, Kabir reflects on the generosity of Bangladesh, vowing that future generations will honor their compassion.
Longing for Home
“In my lifetime, I have experienced becoming a refugee seven times. In the past, we were able to return to our homeland within months or years. But this time, it feels hopeless,” Kabir says. His deepest desire is to return to the village where he was born, to die there with “Shahadah and Iman” and be remembered by his fellow villagers.
A Life of Faith and Resilience
Twelve years have passed since Kabir’s wife died. Now, he lives with his sons and grandsons in the refugee camp. “Alhamdulillah, I have lived to see my fourth generation,” he says. Despite his advanced age and health challenges, Kabir remains strong in his faith, performing daily prayers and attending the mosque regularly.
Life in the refugee camp is not easy, especially for someone with special needs. Kabir’s sons and grandsons are busy with their own families, leaving him to care for himself most of the time. Yet, his faith continues to give him strength.
A Legacy of Survival and Hope
Kabir’s story reflects the resilience of the Rohingya people and the decades of persecution they have endured. Despite unimaginable hardships, he remains a symbol of survival and hope, inspiring others to hold onto faith and the dream of returning home. His life is a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s ability to endure and persevere.
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