Having iftar together to beat loneliness

Seventy-five-year-old Hosne Ara, a former government employee, was talking to one of her close relatives in a video call, sitting on a chair at Probin Nibash, an old-age home. A box full of chickpeas was kept next to her as the time for iftar approached.

Hosne Ara chose to stay there to deal with her loneliness. She said she doesn't feel comfortable at her flat in Dhaka because no one is there with her. "I'm a widow and I don't have any children to keep me company."

"I came here around seven months back," she said. "I don't always feel good about staying here, but I like it better than being all alone in my flat."

Describing her experience, she added, "I don't have iftar alone in my room, because I love to share it with others. Around seven of us have our iftar here together on Wednesdays."

There's a distinct kind of bond that has developed among the group living there, as they prepare different iftar items and share them amongst each other.

Meanwhile, some residents have found their favourite community elsewhere, while others rely on their friends' company.

Mohammad Golam Rabbani, a retired official of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, said, "I, along with another resident of the old home, go to a nearby mosque to have our iftar. They consider us as their special guests."

Seventy-six-year-old Md Abu Tayeb, who has been living there for the last 12 years, said they usually have iftar alone and arrange everything on their own, but sometimes invite others. "We often invite people to iftar. I'm planning to invite some of my friends within a few days."

"I miss having iftar with my family, but when I have iftar together here with the residents, I feel better," he added.

Mohsin Kabir, manager of Probin Nibash, said although there is a capacity of around 50 persons here, they host 36, as it is difficult to make residents share their rooms.

"A person has to provide Tk 6,000 to be admitted into the facility and Tk 3,000 for meals. However, most residents arrange their meals themselves," he said.

Mohsin said they do not provide iftar items to the residents, as most residents do not fast during Ramadan. "However, many organisations have volunteered to provide iftar items after the 10th day of the holy month."

Mohsin also said the residents of Probin Nibash do not choose to live here out of helplessness but rather loneliness. "Most residents are former high officials of the government. They are economically solvent. They choose to stay here to fight their loneliness and have all the freedom to stay or leave."