Bangladeshi expatriates in the UAE are now able to contact their families again after a period of internet and telecommunication outages. However, UAE residents remain anxious about the safety and welfare of their relatives back in Bangladesh. Following the resignation and departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina due to widespread protests, the country's instability has become a fresh worry. Many have urged their family members to stay away from crowded places and remain indoors to reduce the chances of being involved in violent confrontations in several cities.
Farhana Rahman, a Bangladeshi expat and homemaker living in Al Nahda, Sharjah, has strongly advised her family in Bangladesh to stay at home. 'I was unable to communicate with my family for more than a week. The conflicts between students and the government caused a lot of anxiety, and we were unsure about what our family members were doing,' Rahman explained. 'I anxiously awaited a double tick on my brother's WhatsApp chat, but the message didn't get delivered for nearly four days in a row. Phone call connectivity was also limited,' she added. 'Finally, last evening, the internet was restored, and I can now talk to them. It's such a relief.'
'Returned to an era without mobile phones' Arif Hassan, a businessman, described the experience of being unable to contact loved ones as akin to living in a time before mobile phones. 'It felt like we had gone back to a period without mobile phones. The silence was terrifying, and the only updates we received about the situation in our country came from news and television,' Hassan said, who hadn't heard from his mother, wife, and daughter for five days. 'Every moment was filled with anxiety, not knowing what was happening back home. Hearing my family's voices after such a long time was a huge relief,' added Hassan, who is from Gazipur.
The anti-government protests that started in July were in response to the reinstatement of job quotas, which were subsequently overturned by the Supreme Court, favoring certain groups for coveted civil service positions. A nationwide internet ban, disrupted telecommunication lines, and a curfew were imposed, with the military called in to suppress the escalating unrest. At least 300 people have been killed in the demonstrations. The situation remains volatile after the Bangladeshi prime minister fled to India on Monday evening.
The restoration of internet services has provided a much-needed sense of normalcy and connection for Bangladeshi expats in the UAE, but the uncertainty in the country is a new concern. Saif Ur Rahman, founder of the Bangladesh Economic Forum, said he was in contact with people back home via calls during the riots, 'but the internet was down.' 'We are very concerned as uncertainty prevails in our country. We have been receiving news of vandalism on roads, and we are also hearing that many houses belonging to former government officials were burnt. I am glad to be back in touch with people back home, but the situation remains deeply worrying,' said Saif Ur Rahman.
Nadia Salam, a resident of Emirates City in Ajman, described the past three weeks as incredibly distressing. 'The uncertainty and chaos back home for the last few days was worrisome. And now the lack of a functioning government has made it even worse,' said Salam, who is from Feni town. 'The current situation is a serious concern, and we can only hope for peace and stability soon,' Salam added. In view of the ongoing unrest, Bangladeshi missions have also advised their fellow citizens in the UAE to exercise utmost restraint and comply with local laws.
