Bangladeshi newspaper the Dhaka Post has carried a report on how ‘Bangladeshi expatriates” are “working day and night to control a devastating wildfire in the Oliveira do Hospital area of the Coimbra district of Portugal.
“Their dedication to serving humanity, even at the risk of their own lives, has been praised by the local community” says the paper.
Yesterday, Lusa too described how “Brazilians, Nepalese, Bangladeshis and Indians” were joining the fight against advancing flames in a number of rural communities. The Bangladeshi ‘expatriates’ are on the ‘front line’ in the form of forestry sappers.
One of these, says the Dhaka Post, is ‘Jewel’ (Zahirul Islam Jewel), who talks of the enormous amounts of work required “to keep homes and land safe” and how local residents “give us courage”.
Notable names in Jewel’s group are – Naeem Ferdous Movin, Syed Imam Saeed Rifat, Md. Sultan Salahuddin Fahad, Imam Hossain Rumon, Md. Sohel, Rabiul Hossain Robin, Sanwar Hossain Sunny, Kabir Hossain, Rana, Farooq, Asaduzzaman Jewel, Mohammad Sayed, Mohammad Manik and Mohammad Faisal, says the Post.
“Many of the team members have become physically ill while working continuously”, says the article. “In particular, Md. Sultan Salahuddin Fahad, an expatriate, felt impelled to rejoin firefighting work after suffering a serious injury to his leg. His strong morale and responsibility are inspiring others.
“Local Portuguese citizens said they were deeply inspired by the self-sacrifice and bravery of the migrant workers. Many paid tribute to them for dedicating themselves to serving humanity, even thousands of miles away from Bangladesh.
“Rezaul Baset Shimul, a Portuguese citizen of Bangladeshi origin, told Dhaka Post that such social contributions in Portugal and Europe are further enhancing the positive image of Bangladeshis”, the text concludes.
This is a particularly refreshing article, as it shows how different situations are when seen from another angle. We habitually describe Bangladeshi citizens in this country as ‘immigrants’. Their own country sees them as ‘expatriates’ (which will be the description generally given to the majority of people reading this text). ND
Source: Dhaka Post
