On Rohingyas and Bangladeshi Muslims

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 31 May 2025 In the context of Rohingyas and Bangladeshi Muslims living in India and receiving relentless backlash from the people of India and the government agencies, I'm reminded of the book, "The Ungrateful Refugee." It's a poignant and thought-provoking book that delves into the complex and often misunderstood experiences of refugees and asylum seekers. Written by Dina Nayeri, a refugee herself, this memoir explores the challenges faced by those who are forced to leave their homelands in search of safety and a better life. The book highlights the challenges and traumas faced by refugees when fleeing war and persecution, including the loss of identity, dignity, and security. It emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding towards refugees, rather than victim-blaming and stereotypes. A few poignant statements in the book got me thinking. I'm sharing them with the learned and compassionate readers of NAI: Refugees are not ungrateful, they are just trying to make sense of their new reality. This statement sheds light on the struggles and challenges faced by those who have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in a new country. It challenges the stereotype of refugees being ungrateful for the assistance they receive, instead highlighting the complexity of their situation. Adjusting to a new culture, language, and way of life can be overwhelming, and it is understandable that refugees may have a difficult time expressing gratitude in the midst of their struggles. Their focus is on trying to navigate and understand their new reality, rather than being perceived as ungrateful. This quote reminds us to approach refugees with empathy and understanding, recognizing the immense courage and resilience it takes to rebuild their lives in unfamiliar surroundings. Ruminate over this one: Judging refugees as ungrateful only perpetuates their suffering. This highlights the damaging effects of labelling refugees as ungrateful. By dismissing the struggles and sacrifices refugees have made, this judgment only serves to further marginalize and dehumanize them. It ignores the complex challenges they face, from leaving behind their homes and families to overcoming language barriers and finding employment in a new country. Rather than focusing on gratitude, it is crucial to acknowledge the resilience and strength of refugees who are rebuilding their lives in the face of adversity. Only through empathy and understanding can we truly support and empower refugees to thrive in their new communities. And this one, refugees are not ungrateful, they are grateful for the little things that matter most. This quote perfectly encapsulates the misconception that refugees are ungrateful for the help and support they receive. In reality, refugees are incredibly grateful for the little things that matter most in their journey to safety and stability. These things often go unnoticed by those who have never experienced displacement, such as a safe place to sleep, a warm meal, or a kind gesture from a stranger. It is important to recognize and appreciate the resilience and gratitude of refugees, who show gratitude for the simplest of things that we may take for granted. And finally, gratitude is not about saying thank you, but about showing empathy and compassion. Gratitude is redefined as not merely saying thank you, but rather as demonstrating empathy and compassion towards others. The author emphasizes the importance of truly understanding and connecting with the experiences of others, especially those who have faced adversity and displacement. By showing empathy and compassion, we not only acknowledge the struggles of those around us but also actively work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive community. This quote challenges us to go beyond the superficial expressions of thanks and instead engage in meaningful acts of kindness and understanding towards those in need. Remember, the words, 'thanks' and 'sorry' can be outright insincere and perfunctory if not expressed from within. Lack of sincerity often relegates 'thanks' and 'sorry' to the level of weasel words. One must read this book to ennoble oneself and also to acquire new and profound perspectives on gratitude. To quote Urdu poet Ehsan Danish, "Kise Ehsaan Mand Kahoon, Kise Ehsaan Faramosh Samjhoon/ Ye Irfaan Hua Ik Umra Guzar Jaane Ke Baad" (Who should I call grateful and who's an ingrate/ This awakening dawned on me having lived for many years). By the way, I came across two versions of this couplet. 'Kulliyaat-e-Ehsan Danish' (Oeuvre/Entire corpus of Ehsan Danish), published from Karachi, Pakistan in 1985, has the word 'Irfaan' (awakening, self-realization, wisdom, brahma-gyaan etc. ) written in Urdu script. In one of the 4 volumes of his autobiography, Dr Harivansh Rai 'Bacchan' quoted this couplet in which the word, 'Ilhaam' appeared in Devanagari script in lieu of 'Irfaan.' 'Ilhaam' means 'divine inspiration' or 'revelation.' To me, the Pakistani version in Urdu could be more correct and authentic. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. 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