Date: July 18th, 2022
Interviewee: Rafiqul Islam “Manik”
Interviewer: Subat Matin
Location: Brooklyn, New York

MATIN: Today is July 18th, 2022. Tell me your life story.
ISLAM: Hi, my name is Rafiqul Mohammed, Rafiqul Islam. My date of birth 01/01/1947. I was born in Bangladesh, Sandwip. Sandwip is my one offshore Island. I was born there. So, I remember after my age after seven until now maybe I remember, I don’t exactly. Okay…first time primary school, secondary school finish. Then I come…my place, another place its name is Gasua. Gasua is my…my what do you call it, my sister in-law (brother-in law) house. Long time I live in this same house. My sister in-law (brother in-law) name is Mr. Siddiqur Rahman.
MATIN: Okay, now say everything in Bangla.
ISLAM: Bangla, English everything…
MATIN: Bangla will be easier for you to speak in so speak in Bangla.
ISLAM: Alright, okay…Over there I lived in Gasua. My place name, new place, my old place broken by sea, then my new place name Gasua. I stay Gasua since long time. I finish my education then I coming Chittagong. Chittagong, I do some work some company I working some private company. From there I…then I worked in couple of companies. After I finished those, I came…I was interested to make foreign ship service. Then I work for vessels. I took the foreign ship job. While doing that job London, Germany, and many countries I visited including Australia. I visited then I go back to Bangladesh again. Bangladesh, then I marry. Then I chose one girl. One beautiful girl I chose and I marry her. Then I married. Then after married 6 months I stay in home then I go again my ship, foreign vessels. Go ship, from the ship again I Sri Lanka, Colombo, Maldives, many countries visit then I come to Germany, Germany then I go to US come to USA. USA in one fort of Charleston. My ship coming over there from ship, from Charleston then I’m jumping from ship from Charleston. From Charleston by route, I coming New York by route. I don’t know exactly, I don’t remember exactly how many hour drive taxi bring to here. Exactly how many hour I come to New York. New York when I come New York then I work, I start construction work painting job. I do painting job almost 19 months continue working in New York I make very good money. Then I say I should go back to Bangladesh because my family is there, I missing my family that’s why I go to Bangladesh again. I went to Bangladesh, then I start there some business. I go to Bangladesh then I start some business. I have food grill business in Bangladesh. I do couple of year, maybe 2, 3 years I do food grill business. Then I go again Dubai, like middle east Dubai. I stay in Dubai almost 12 years. I stay in Dubai. I lived in Dubai for 12 years, after living there for 12 years then I have some money then I come back again Bangladesh. I came to Bangladesh and there again I started a business. I was doing the business over and over and over. After that my one friend who I loaned some money in America, he wasn’t repaying me so I wanted to go collect the money, I’m worried so then I came…I try to collecting US visa. Then I go to Dhaka American Embassy by interview I got the visiting, multiple visiting VISA came America again. Again, I America came. Again, America came then I work a lot also same construction work. I am painting contractor since long time I working that. Then I marry one Spanish girl in America (contract marriage). Her…from is Honduras. Marry a Spanish girl then here so I 3-4 years I continue this life then I go back again Bangladesh, visit Bangladesh. I visit Bangladesh…2-3 months then I come America again. Then America I start my business again, again I do very good business in America. Thank god I make a very good money. By the time my Spanish wife, she diffuse me. She don’t like to stay with us, she go back Honduras. She diffuse oh sorry she diffuse and she die, I heard she died. So then I apply for my, then I go Bangladesh again. Then I make new married, this is my present wife I marry her. Then I get 5 kids for her and I bring her America, New York. America coming since long time ago I do again construction business. Thank god my business—
MATIN: When did you come to America?
ISLAM: Exactly year? 82’. Second time. Second time I come 82’. So, continue working there. Then I got the green card and then I got citizenship in America. Then I apply for my children, kids everybody I bring America. America thank god till now, thank god I passing very good time. My kids, my 5 kids, 3 daughters, 2 sons. My one son is disabled. His name is Mohammed Shahidul Islam and another son Mohammed Saiful Islam. He is doing contracting business in America same as I do. He working there contracting business. I buy the house New York, same house I living right now, 726 Beverly Road. I’m passing very good time I’m here. After that I go vacation again Bangladesh with my full family. I went there…
MATIN: Tell me about your childhood experiences.
ISLAM: My childhood family…before 7 years I don’t remember anything. Before 7 years. After 7 years I tell you, I school finish, then I come Chittagong.
MATIN: Tell me about your difficulties.
ISLAM: What can I say about my difficulties...I work many companies, I’m suffering there. Very low…work there I suffering too much. I don’t have money, I don’t have father, I don’t have mother, I don’t have any guardian. Nobody, except god help me. I try but god help me. That’s it. This is my suffering, please.
MATIN: What did your mother and father do?
ISLAM: My mom and dad, my mom was a housewife. My dad worked at…workers, he had a lot of land. All land go by sea so we became poor. Become poor, then we start to work, work, work, work, till now I’m working. Ask me a question.
MATIN: How many siblings do you have?
ISLAM: I have…I had 4 siblings. I had 2 sisters and both of them passed away. I had a brother but he also died and now I am the only one left. Now I’m alone. Right now, I don’t have any brother, sister, nothing. No father, no brother, sister. I’m alone right now.
MATIN: When you lived in Bangladesh, what kinds of food did you eat?
ISLAM: Our rice, vegetables, and fish, sometime meat. At that time, we are not so rich but sometime meat, most probably fish. We are eating too much. Especially we like sea fish.
MATIN: When you lived in Bangladesh did you ever hear about American culture?
ISLAM: I did hear about it, from many friends. A lot of my friends I heard about America. America is good country. In America you can do this and that. In America you can make more money. I know all these, I collect all stories in America then I tried to come America.
MATIN: Then why did you leave Bangladesh?
ISLAM: Because I needed more money that’s why. Bangladesh I am money crisis. Very low salary I work, where I worked. This money not enough. My old house and land all broke down from the sea, every taxi so we become poor. My father is big landlord but he don’t have nothing, everything lost. Sea took it then we are coming poor. We need money. Then I work in Chittagong, I work in Dhaka, then I try to work foreign vessels, foreign ships. Then foreign ship I coming America. America coming 19 month I working in America then I go back again Bangladesh. From Bangladesh start some business. I am not successful business then I go to Dubai. Dubai 12 years I work in Dubai. One oil project, oil company ETPM oil company…I get very good salary there. I am very good life there too in Dubai. Long time almost 12 years I’m working in Dubai. After Dubai, then I save this money enough I go back Bangladesh.
MATIN: When was the first time you came to America? Which year?
ISLAM: 72’, 1972 Sorry 71’, I come first time America.
MATIN: And the second time which year did you come?
ISLAM: 84’.
MATIN: 87’ or 86’ right?
ISLAM: 86’.
MATIN: 86’. And when you were in Bangladesh, what kind of business did you have?
ISLAM: Food grain business, rice business. Food grain business.
MATIN: What did you guys do there?
ISLAM: We would supply rice…we have a rice business, food grain business enough. I had a food grain business. In Bangladesh they say grain business.
MATIN: Why did that business fail?
ISLAM: It didn’t fail, it failed but I’m interested to come America, that’s why left them.
MATIN: Why did you choose to specifically immigrate to New York?
ISLAM: Huh?
MATIN: Why did you specifically choose to immigrate to New York?
ISLAM: Because New York at that time I had one or two friends, I follow them and I come their house. I had friends, there was a Bengali community that’s why I chose New York.
MATIN: And in New York what kind of experiences did you have?
ISLAM: In New York, I do construction work every…private job, company job, all kind of family…families.
MATIN: And while you were in Bangladesh, did you ever hear about other Bangladeshis going to America?
ISLAM: I heard about it.
MATIN: Did you know any of them?
ISLAM: I knew them. I have couple of friends.
MATIN: After you came to America, did you ever face any discrimination?
ISLAM: No.
MATIN: How did you adjust to the American lifestyle?
ISLAM: Little, little, slowly after going around with people it happened. But I like American environment. I like…I learn my language too.
MATIN: What do you like about New York?
ISLAM: I like New York very much.
MATIN: What do you like about it?
ISLAM: Everything, I like New York everything.
MATIN: Anything specifically?
ISLAM: Specifically, too much Bengali community or we have a…Muslim, religious. I have a mosque. I have to go five times mosque. When I go to mosque, then I talk everybody. That’s why I like New York.
MATIN: And when you first came to New York, what did you think when you first saw it? What did you see that shocked you most?
ISLAM: I liked it. I didn’t see anything that shocked me.
MATIN: After seeing the big buildings in New York how did you feel?
ISLAM: I liked it. At the time the world trade center was there, I visited the world trade center too. On that time, I had some client world trade center. Every month 2-3 times I went to world trade center. New York’s environment, everything I like it.
MATIN: Why didn’t you settle in any other state, why did you want to live in New York?
ISLAM: In other states I didn’t have any friends, there weren’t other Bengalis or a community. I’m alone that’s why here a lot of Bengali community. That’s why I like New York, stay New York.
MATIN: And after you came to New York, did you face any difficulties?
ISLAM: No, thank god I didn’t face any problems.
MATIN: When you came here did you have to learn English or didn’t learn it?
ISLAM: I had to learn a little bit. After speaking with everyone I was able to learn it. I don’t go to any school in America. But I learned.
MATIN: And when you came to New York and you had to leave your family behind in Bangladesh, what was the hardest part about that?
ISLAM: I’m missing my family every minute every day. I’m missing family my family. When I’m alone then I’m crying for my family. My children, my wife. When everybody coming then I have happy life.
MATIN: And how many times did you go to visit Bangladesh?
ISLAM: Oh, I don’t know, I no count about it. Many times. Every year I visit Bangladesh. First three years, I cannot go on that time my immigrant status, I didn’t have a green card. When I got my green card, every year I visit Bangladesh. 3 to 4 months I staying there.
MATIN: And while you lived here how did you keep in contact with your family in Bangladesh?
ISLAM: By telephone, by letter. First time by letter. 97-73, no telephone, by letter. After then by telephone.
MATIN: And your family that are in Bangladesh now, what do they think of you now?
ISLAM: They all think I’m good. Everybody like me because I…most probably my family, most probably lot of poor people. I support everybody, everybody like me, I help everybody.
MATIN: Now do you think America or Bangladesh is your home?
ISLAM: Ah this is complicated. Right now, I think America is my home because my kids, wife, grandchildren, everybody is here. Everybody is here that’s why I like to stay America.
MATIN: And what do you do now?
ISLAM: I am now retired. I am almost 74’ so I am retired person. Last years ago, I have one COVID-19. I was suffering almost a year in hospital. So, I was almost going to be die in the life support. God helped me. Everyone’s prayers saved me and brought me back. Now we feel good, now is very good. Most probably I passing time right now. Morning, I pray. At night clean my houses then I go every time, five times mosque. I pray to god, like this I passing my time. Sometimes friend’s house.
MATIN: After you came to America, after how many years were you able to bring your family?
ISLAM: Almost 4 years later, 4 years.
MATIN: And how many years later did your wife come?
ISLAM: America? My wife came almost 4 years later.
MATIN: How many years after you?
ISLAM: Oh, she came 5 years after me.
MATIN: And after your family came to America, what kinds of responsibilities did you have? Did you have more responsibilities?
ISLAM: Meaning? My responsibilities are that I take care of my family. I take care of everyone. My son was young then so he went to school. Sometimes I took him to school, I would pick him up from school, I also had a business. Most of the time I’m busy for my business.
MATIN: And did your wife ever work or was she always at home?
ISLAM: She was always at home, she never worked. Always she’s housewife.
MATIN: What would she do at home?
ISLAM: House cleaning, cooking, ironing, that’s it.
MATIN: What kind of Bangladeshi cultural traditions did you want to pass down or did you pass down to your kids and grandchildren?
ISLAM: Whatever…how all Bengalis act…however Bengalis act I told them to behave that way. I told them to their prayers. Respect your god always, pray, religious mentality…I told all of them.
MATIN: Did you face any problems with maintaining Bangladeshi culture in your family?
ISLAM: No.
MATIN: When you guys first came to America, where would you find halal food or Bengali food?
ISLAM: Back then we, halal food…we didn’t even hear of halal food. Sometimes we would find Bengali food in Manhattan’s China market. We would find Bengali food in the China market. Sometimes and after Jackson Heights.
MATIN: Then when did you find halal food later?
ISLAM: From Jackson Heights. There were halal foods in some stores. Also, in Brooklyn there was somewhere, some Iranian community they’re always using halal food.
MATIN: Do you think there are any problems with Bangladeshi culture?
ISLAM: No.
MATIN: Do you consider yourself a Bangladeshi or American now?
ISLAM: I am American citizen Bangladeshi. Bangladeshi born American citizen.
MATIN: When you first came to America, where would you meet Bangladeshi people?
ISLAM: Jackson Heights or McDonald Avenue.
MATIN: How was the Bengali community there?
ISLAM: …There was a lot…there wasn’t many then, there were a few but now there’s too much.
MATIN: Describe how the Bengali community is in Brooklyn today.
ISLAM: They’re doing good, it’s good.
MATIN: Are you a part of any Bangladeshi organization?
ISLAM: I am a part of our Sandwip Society organization. I am member of trusted vote…we have…association lots of members. Our mosque, mosque members. All community I collected, all communities. Everything. All mosque, everything. Everywhere I am connected.
MATIN: What do you like most about this organization as a member?
ISLAM: The organization helps everyone, when people die, they take care of it and help them with everything. When there are there are other programs, they help everyone and most probably Bangladesh, Sandwip Society, I like them very much their activities, their work, everything is good I like…that’s why I’m there permanent life member.
MATIN: The Bangladeshis that live in Brooklyn, what kinds of problems or struggles do they face?
ISLAM: Lot of Bangladeshis people here nonimmigrant, they face immigration problems. They don’t have green card, immigration status. They cannot visit their home city, they cannot visit their home country, they are missing their family. They’re trying to make green card. Trying to make American status.
MATIN: When you attended school in Bangladesh, did they ever teach you about Bangladesh’s history? For example, when Britain had control over the Bengal region.
ISLAM: They taught us.
MATIN: What did they teach you guys?
ISLAM: How the British disciplined us. What the British did then…what they do now. We heard these kinds of stories, or we were taught at school.
MATIN: During the war in Bangladesh in 1971, where were you?
ISLAM: I was in Bangladesh at first. At first, I was in Bangladesh but after the war started, I came to America.
MATIN: What kinds of things did you see during the war?
ISLAM: I saw Pakistanis…then all of Bangladesh was Pakistan that time, East Pakistan. Pakistanis would discipline us and they would hit people I heard and saw but we…I quickly got on the ship and from the ship I came to America.
MATIN: And where was your family?
ISLAM: My family was in Bangladesh, Sandwip.
MATIN: Did you know anyone that fought in the war or went to India?
ISLAM: I knew some, I knew them, I have a lot of friends like this.
MATIN: Do you know any of their stories?
ISLAM: Their…what kind of stories should I say?
MATIN: Did you ever hear anything about them, what they did, what happened to them?
ISLAM: I heard a lot of things. Over there they fought, Indian soldiers helped them, they killed Pakistani soldiers. I heard these kinds of things.
MATIN: And in Bangladesh in 1974 during the famine, what was it like?
ISLAM: …During the famine people were not able to eat. People would survive by eating the wastewater of rice. People struggled. I saw people struggle a lot from the famine. I see my own eyes.
MATIN: What kind of experience did you have?
ISLAM: We were okay because that time I was in America. Since I was in America at that time, I was good. I saw other people struggle a lot.
MATIN: When Bangladesh went into war what was your opinion and thoughts on that?
ISLAM: Back then Pakistan would control Bangladesh and Pakistan would always remove goods…they wouldn’t give to us Bengalis. They used to think badly of Bengalis and that’s why they…and that’s why Bangladesh separated from Pakistan, independence.
MATIN: You said that you lived in Dubai for 12 years, did you know any other Bangladeshis that went to work in the middle east?
ISLAM: I knew a lot of people.
MATIN: And what kinds of experiences did you have in the Middle East?
ISLAM: In the middle east my experiences…I worked in the oil field most probably. Oil field, I was an oil field supervisor. So…how they extract oil, how they produce oil, delivery, I saw, and I know about those. I saw them, I saw all those things.
MATIN: How did the people over there treat you guys?
ISLAM: They…mostly probably Arabians they used to think we were beggars. They’re poor people, they came from a poor country, they used to think badly of us the Arabians. I have one story, one day during Eid we went to hang out and wore a suit and tie and some Arabians, young boys in front of me. They spit on us. Oh, these poor people what kind of suit and tie are they wearing...they used to hate us. The Arabians they used to feel very disgusted by us.
MATIN: When you came to America, what kinds of jobs did you do?
ISLAM: Starting I do painting job, house painting from the beginning in America.
MATIN: How long did you work?
ISLAM: I did long time. Almost 20-25 years.
MATIN: When you went to school in Bangladesh, did they ever teach you about New York or United States history?
ISLAM: No, they wouldn’t teach us this at school. These things after school we would see a lot of newspapers or books. We collect from this, all stories in the world.
MATIN: Did you ever hear about Bangladeshis immigrating to different countries other than the America?
ISLAM: I heard about them, I heard about many.
MATIN: Do you know which countries they immigrated to?
ISLAM: I know they went to London, they went to Australia, and they went to Canada. A lot of … they went to Germany.
MATIN: You said that you had a contract marriage, did you ever know anyone else that did that?
ISLAM: This is not a contract marriage, it’s marriage. I had a marriage. I continued the marriage for almost 3 years and then I got the green card.
MATIN: But did you know anyone else other than yourself that would do this?
ISLAM: No.
MATIN: What do you think of Bangladesh life now?
ISLAM: Life in Bangladesh…I don’t think much of it. I was good, I wasn’t that good…I was rich when I was younger but then when I got older, I became poor and from this I struggled over and over and now god brought me here today.
MATIN: What was your favorite memory of Bangladesh?
ISLAM: Favorite?
MATIN: Memory.
ISLAM: Bangladesh’s Sandwip…I don’t have any favorite memories.
MATIN: Do you still miss Bangladesh?
ISLAM: Still, I miss it, still I miss it.
MATIN: What do you miss about Bangladesh?
ISLAM: Bangladesh culture, Bangladesh lot of friends there. I have a lot of friends there and I always miss my own country.
MATIN: When you came to America, how would you learn about what was happening in Bangladesh?
ISLAM: By telephone, from people, I would hear from my friends and others.
MATIN: Would you ever change anything about your life or your immigration journey?
ISLAM: No.
MATIN: You liked how everything turned out to be?
ISLAM: Everything, yes.
MATIN: Do you have any regrets in life?
ISLAM: No.
MATIN: What are you most proud of?
ISLAM: What…I eat?
MATIN: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
ISLAM: Rice…
MATIN: No grandpa, not what you eat. What moment in your life are you most proud of? What are you most proud of?
ISLAM: Oh, I’m proud...I’m proud of my family. My family, my grandchild, my kids, that’s what I’m proud of. What more is there to be proud of?
MATIN: Would you like to say anything else or share anything else about your life?
ISLAM: No, I don’t have anything else to say.
MATIN: Or do you have any last words you would like to say about America or your immigration journey?
ISLAM: No…I have been good in America. I was good before, and I am good now and I hope I will continue to stay well. God bless America.