For Bangladeshis and other Muslim communities living in South Korea, Eid is a deeply meaningful occasion that brings together faith, culture, and community.
Though, Eid is not nationally celebrated, neither it is a holiday, in Korea, the minority Muslims from different countries living in Korea, celebrate Eid with remarkable enthusiasm, multi-cultural celebration and a strong sense of solidarity and spirituality, thousands of miles away from their families.
The day usually begins with congregational Eid prayers held at mosques and community centers. The Seoul Central Mosque is one of the most prominent places where Muslims from different nationalities gather early in the morning.
Bangladeshis, along with Muslims from Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, African and Middle Eastern countries, join the prayers wearing traditional attire such as Punjabi, saree, and salwar kameez, etc.
Korea Muslim Federation (KMF) and other Muslim community groups organize annual Eid festival in the premises of Seoul Central Mosque, bringing together Muslims and local Korean residents for a day of cultural exchange.
The event features traditional foods from various Muslim countries, cultural performances, charity activities, and informational booths introducing Islamic culture.
Figure 1: Bangladeshi and other international Muslim residents gather after Eid prayer at the Seoul Central Mosque in Itaewon, Seoul, celebrating the festival in a multicultural environment
In recent times, Bangladeshi expatriates’ communities in Korea have been observed to remain proactively engaged in organizing the Eid prayers in the areas with large Bangladeshi populations, such as Ansan or Gimhae.
In those areas, a vibrant Bangladeshi culture, tradition, attire and cuisine are found on display on the Eid days, as a good number of Bangladeshi men, ladies and children wear traditional Bangladeshi dresses and join the festivity with native-mood.
Food is an important part of the celebration. Families and community groups prepare traditional dishes such as biryani, polao, korma, and sweet desserts like firni, semai. Community feasts are sometimes organized where friends and families share meals together.
For many Bangladeshis who cannot return home during Eid, these gatherings provide emotional comfort and a sense of belonging. It is mentionable that majority of Bangladesh expatriates living in Korea are basically living under E-9 visa category that does not allow to bring their families to Korea.
So, they are forced to celebrate the biggest festival of the year with an unforeseen experience.
Particularly, a good number of Bangladeshi students enrolled in different universities in the vicinity of Seoul and Busan gather during the morning Eid prayers not only to share the joy of Eid festivity, but also to escape from the agony of loneliness on such a festival, thousands of miles away from family.
An encouraging aspect of Eid celebrations in South Korea is the growing participation of local Koreans. Korean friends, colleagues, and neighbors are often invited to community gatherings and meals.
Many Koreans show curiosity about the traditions of Eid and enjoy tasting traditional dishes and multicultural foreign resident centers also organize cultural exchange events where Korean participants join the celebrations and learn about Islamic traditions.
Despite being far from Bangladesh, Eid in South Korea remains a vibrant and heartfelt celebration, strengthened by community solidarity and the warm interest of Korean friends who share in the festive spirit.
Toufiq Islam Shatil is the ambassador of Bangladesh to South Korea.
