As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh’s sprawling camps are making preparations for iftar and suhoor, the two crucial meals that mark fasting and nourishment during the month of fasting. Despite living in dire conditions, they are trying to keep their faith and traditions alive by purchasing essential food items although skyrocketing prices, dwindling aid, and uncertain futures make it increasingly difficult.
In the overcrowded camps of Cox’s Bazar, where nearly one million Rohingya have taken shelter after fleeing violence and persecution in Myanmar, markets are filled with refugees searching for lentils, rice, oil, dates, and other basic items to observe Ramadan. However, many are struggling to afford even the simplest meals due to aid cuts and restrictions on income-generating activities.
For many Rohingya families, the joy of Ramadan is overshadowed by daily hardships. “We want to observe Ramadan properly, but how can we do that when we barely have food to eat?” said Noor Begum, a refugee mother of four. She explained that humanitarian aid distributions have reduced, leaving families dependent on limited food rations.
Many refugees rely on small-scale markets inside the camps, where vendors sell goods brought in from outside. However, movement restrictions imposed by Bangladeshi authorities have made it harder for traders to bring supplies, causing prices to rise beyond what most refugees can afford. “Even dates, a staple for breaking fast, are too expensive for many of us,” said Mohammad Islam, a father of five.
The lack of employment opportunities further deepens their struggles. The Bangladeshi government does not allow refugees to work legally, leaving them with no stable income. Many resort to informal jobs, such as selling vegetables or working as day laborers, but these opportunities are scarce and risky due to crackdowns on illegal employment.
The Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, were forced to flee their homeland due to brutal military crackdowns. In 2017, a violent campaign by the Myanmar military characterized by mass killings, sexual violence, and village burnings, pushed over 700,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh in what the UN has described as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.” Even before 2017, the Rohingya faced decades of systemic discrimination, including denial of citizenship, movement restrictions, and limited access to education and healthcare.
Now, as conflict intensifies in Myanmar between the military junta and ethnic resistance groups, more Rohingya are fleeing across the border in search of safety. However, their prospects remain bleak, as Bangladesh refuses to grant them formal refugee status, and international funding for their needs continues to decline.
Despite the hardships, the spirit of Ramadan remains strong in the refugee community. Many are preparing to pray at makeshift mosques and share whatever little food they have with neighbors. Humanitarian groups are trying to provide additional food support, but funding shortages mean that assistance is limited.
“We have fled genocide, we have lost our homes, and we are living in uncertainty,” said Mohammad Salam, a refugee leader in the camps. “But Ramadan teaches us patience and gratitude. Even in the most difficult times, we try to hold onto our faith and traditions.”
As the Rohingya mark yet another Ramadan in exile, their hopes remain fixed on a future where they can observe the holy month in dignity, free from persecution and suffering. Until then, they continue to endure, relying on resilience, faith, and the solidarity of their community.
