Saddam’s life as a Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh has been defined by hardship and resilience. It was his seventh Ramadan away from his home in Myanmar, and each year, the challenges grow more difficult. “I find life very challenging in the camp during Ramadan,” Saddam says, his voice heavy with the weight of his struggle. He is a father of two, but his disability has made every aspect of life harder. Moving around is particularly difficult for him, as he has only one leg. “Leaning on one hand continuously gets painful,” he explains. The simplest tasks become extremely difficult, and securing a job to provide for his family is an impossible dream. 

“I wait for Iftar, but I can’t walk properly, so there’s little I can do,” he says. As a result, his family often struggles with food insecurity and malnutrition. “We only eat lentil soup with rice, which we never did back home,” he shares. In Myanmar, he used to buy meat and fish once a week. Now, the reality of life in the refugee camp means his family is unable to afford such essentials. 

Despite the overwhelming difficulties, Saddam’s hope lies in the concept of community. “Our Ramadan table is about extending a seat to those who need it most,” he says, reflecting on the generosity of those who help others in need, especially during Ramadan. “We are now refugees, so all of us are equal”. 

Over 1 million Rohingya refugees, a stateless minority from Myanmar, have fled ongoing conflict and persecution in multiple waves, with the largest exodus occurring in August 2017, when over 742,000 people sought refuge in Bangladesh. The region now hosts 1.1 million Rohingya refugees, with 51% female and 52% children, all facing limited opportunities for self-reliance and protection. As humanitarian aid dwindles, many refugees risk dangerous journeys in search of safety and lasting solutions. The Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh depend entirely on humanitarian aid for survival, living in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. Given Bangladesh’s vulnerability to natural disasters, including cyclones, flooding, and landslides, these refugees face significant exposure to weather-related risks. 

Through Zakat contributions, thousands of Rohingya families received essential aid during Ramadan. For Saddam and his children, this support was a lifeline, allowing them to face the harsh realities of refugee life with hope.