::: Star Campus :::

Spotlight

Eid on DU campus

Tajmia Islam Nion

Eid is a time to come together as a community and to renew friendship and family ties. It is a joyous occasion having important religious significance where the festivity gets the triumph. But some people sometimes miss many of the features especially the family gathering and have to live away from the beloved family members.

Every year a good number of students of Dhaka University have to stay away from home for various reasons. They spend the Eid day staying miles away from home---'sweet home'. In this Eid special issue we have tried to find out the reasons and the celebration of the Eid on the campus.

Let's find out about Shilpi. She might not be able to go home due to exams soon after the Eid. "Still this is reality, I dream of a better future when I will be able to live with my family here in Dhaka. And only a good result will make my dream come true," she said with sadness in her eyes.

Her roommates who had stayed at the hall on the Eid day in the past has assured her that she will have a unique Eid this year. "It's really a different feeling all together. Everyone must celebrate at least one Eid on the campus in their university life," said Nusrat, a senior roommate of Shilpi.

The night before Eid (chand raat) is the most festive night when all the students living in the hall gather in the dining hall or common rooms to celebrate the night by dancing, singing, turning the celebration like an open air concert...

The whole campus becomes a family where students try to find consolation of the absence of their family. The hall authorities arrange special menu for the students.

"It's a festive atmosphere," said Rojmila. "It's like a carnival, every aspect of celebration is present here during the Eid excepting the care of our dear and near ones. I will be calling my family members over mobile phone and talk to my mother and others,” he said.

Then there will be other students who will have to stay back not for exams but for political reasons. "I could not go to my village in last four years. There are three political cases with the local Police Station and if I go to my area they would arrest me. I will go to my area with pride and there will be no case against me once my party comes to power," said Arif (not real name) a student cum political activist.

A good number of non-Muslim students of the varsity pass the Eid vacation on the campus and they too take part in the celebration of Eid with their friends living in others halls. "We go and join the Eid celebration with our friends and invite them to our hall for a feast," said Tanup Kumar, a student of DU and resident of Jagannath Hall.

Teachers, hall provosts, house tutors of the dormitories also come to share their Eid with the students. Even the common 'Khala' of Rokeya Hall, loves to celebrate her Eid with the students of the hall. Although she has the opportunity to celebrate the Eid with her family, she prefers to pass the day on the campus than go to her family in the evening.