Dr. M.A. Rashid is a pioneer among the Bangladeshi diaspora community in Glasgow. After graduating from Dhaka Medical College, he moved to the UK. He has been living in Glasgow for almost six decades. He began practising medicine as a paediatrician in hospitals and then served as a General Practitioner in Glasgow’s primary care system. He played a prominent role in supporting Bangladesh’s liberation movement in 1971. He also played a leading role in establishing the Bangladesh Association in Glasgow. He frequently visits Bangladesh and is involved in several healthcare and humanitarian projects in his village.
During June 2023, I had an opportunity to meet and converse with Dr. M.A. Rashid in Glasgow. Dr. Rashid took us to a boat cruise on Loch (lake) Lomond. The cruise on this scenic lake along with its islands, rich in culture, history, and heritage, was a memorable event of my trip to Scotland.
Here are his answers to some of my questions pertaining to his life experiences.
S.I: In what year did you come to Glasgow?
Dr. 1964
S.I: Why did you decide to start your medical career in Glasgow? Why not London or any other city?
Dr. I received an opportunity to work in a Paediatric Teaching Hospital
S.I.: Approximately, how many Bangladeshis did live in Glasgow when you came to Glasgow?
Dr. Only a handful of post graduate students and a few doctors.
S.I: What were the challenges, if any, that you faced during the initial years of your medical career in Glasgow? Was understanding Scottish English a problem?
Dr. I found Glaswegians very welcoming. Apart from some local dialects, there were no problems in understanding (Scottish) English
S.I: Did you have to get additional degrees, training, internship experience in Glasgow?
Dr. I did not require any additional degrees, but I successfully completed my Diploma in Child Health whilst in Glasgow and trained to be a Paediatrician. I also obtained an MPhil degree in medical law and ethics from the Glasgow University.
S.I: What role did the Bangladeshis in Glasgow play during the liberation war in 1971? What was your own role?
Dr. : Bangladeshis in Glasgow/ Scotland played a vital role within the UK during the liberation movement. We were the first in the UK to form a Bangladesh Association: (a) to propagate our cause throughout Scotland and ( b) to raise money – Scottish people in general were very supportive of our cause and donated money generously; (c) we visited and spoke at universities and businesses to raise awareness of our cause; d) we organised two marches for the war of liberation and against the genocide perpetrated by the Pakistani Army.
S.I.: Did you play a leading role in establishing an association of Bangladeshis in Glasgow? If yes, please elaborate.
I was actively involved in forming the Bangladesh Association in Glasgow with other local Bangladeshis. I also established a fund to support postgraduate students financially affected by the liberation movement.
I also founded the Bangladesh Doctor’s Association in Glasgow and arranged to send two doctors to Agartala with aid and medical supplies and to assess what further provisions were required.
S.I: Did you and your wife actively help the newcomers of Bangladesh origin to Glasgow ? If so, how?
Dr. We were both active within the association and community. I provided medical advice whenever appropriate.
S.I: What are the main functions of the Bangladesh Association? Does it organise events during Eid festivals, Bangla new year, 21st February, and Bangladesh Independence Day? Are local politicians invited in these celebrations and occasions?
Dr. : Bangladesh Association aims to serve the Bangladeshi community and to project positive images of Bangladesh to the local community. Main events organised recently (during 2021-23) are the following:
- 50th Victory Day Celebration with “ Shongram” Screening, December 16, 2021.
- Sports: Several Sessions were held. Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector provided the funds.
- BAG ( Bangladesh Association Glasgow) Charity Food Drive : 12th February 2022.
The money raised helped to donate food and other essential items to the Homeless project Scotland and Refugees.
- Lascari Drama and Gala Dinner: May 29, 2022 Organised by BAG in collaboration with the National Theatre of Scotland.
- HELLO FOOD LOVERS: 29 October 2022. Bangladeshi Food Festival and Gastronomy Masterclass.
- Presentation on Lascar research project. 04/02, 2023.
- Supporting Earthquake Relief efforts in Syria, 11/02, 2023.
- Meditation sessions for Mental Health & well being ( 11/02/23, 18/02/23, 18/03/23) through Glasgow Community &Mental Health Fund.
- BHASHA— Glasgow Language Festival ( International Mother Language Day, 25/ 02/2023.)
- Eid get together, 29/04/2023.
- End of Scotland ‘s Lascar Heritage project, 18/06/ 23.
- Summer Outing and Sports, 29/07/23.
- OSCH ( Our shared Cultural Heritage) from British Council, 09/09/23.
Many of the functions were funded by the city Council, or sponsored by the institution concerned.
S.I: What is the approximate size of the population of Bangladesh origin in Glasgow today? Have Bangladeshi immigrants in Glasgow predominantly originated from certain areas such as Sylhet?
Dr. There are approximately 1,000 people of Bangladesh origin in Glasgow. There is no predominance of immigrants from any area such as Sylhet. Most are students and professionals from all over Bangladesh.
S.I: Are there any Bangladeshi grocery stores and restaurants, owned by Bangladeshis in Glasgow?
Dr. There are a few Bangladeshi grocery stores and restaurants, owned by Bangladeshis in Glasgow
S.I: Are Bangladeshis in Glasgow engaged in a variety of occupations (professional/high skilled, and low-skilled) as in London ? Is there any difference between Glasgow and London in this regard?
Dr. Most Bangladeshis in Glasgow are either students studying for higher degrees or professionals. This appears to be a different demographic makeup from London, though this may change over time.
S.I: Are there any schools for learning Bengali and Bengali music, and mosque managed by Bangladeshis in Glasgow?
I established Bangla school in 1977/78 to teach Bengali, Music & dancing. However in 1985 the school was renamed as Bangla Centre to widen the activities for the community. Main regular activities of Bangla Centre are as follows:
To Run Bengali school.
- To teach Bengali up to GCSE level, Music & dancing.
To celebrate
- Independence Day
- Victory Day,
- International Mother Language Day ( 21st, February) in Collaboration with a Gaelic school
- Bengali New Year,
- Eid Festivals,
- Glasgow Mela in collaboration with Glasgow City Council showing Bangladeshi Society , Culture and Cuisine.
Local councillors attend these events when appropriate.
Social activities
- Picnics
- Outing
Sports
- Weekly Badminton for older & young persons,
- football and cricket ( SBL: Scottish Bangladesh League).
Community Service for both Bangladeshi and Locals.
- Shopping and Supplying food for Elderly and Vulnerable Families especially more so during the COVID Period.
Job Training
Relief Work
- To Raise Relief Fund for disasters ( both natural or otherwise) in different parts of World.
- To Provide funding to build houses for four Families in different parts of rural Bangladesh on a yearly basis if possible.
For Women Only Activities
- Yearly Curry Festival Competition.
I was one of the three persons who established Bengali Performing Arts in collaboration with people from West Bengal. There are two Mosques managed by Bangladeshis in Glasgow
Bangla Centre is constantly reviewing its services to the Community.
S.I: Please briefly tell about education of your children. Do your children speak Bengali? Did you face any challenges in raising children in different cultural and religious environments?
Dr. Both my children are medical doctors. They both speak Bengali. We feel we prepared our children to face challenges of living within a different cultural and religious environment so that they were able to take advantage of the best of both worlds.
S.I: Usually, Bangladeshi parents encourage their children to study engineering and medicine. Are second or third generation Bangladeshis in Glasgow opting for non-traditional careers in politics, media, sports, music, law, art, and writing?
Dr. Both my children were encouraged to look at other careers (in particular law) but ultimately chose to do medicine. Yes, it is more common for later generations to choose non-traditional careers.
S.I. Is education in public schools for permanent residents and citizens free? How about public universities?
Dr. In Glasgow, like the whole of Scotland, education in public schools and universities are free to permanent residents and citizens.
S.I. : Do foreign students including Bangladeshi students in public universities in Scotland pay higher tuition fees? Are foreign students allowed to work in Scotland?
Dr. Students from other parts of the UK pay fees at public universities in Scotland. Foreign students from outside the UK pay international fees which are set at higher rates.
S.I: Since you came to Glasgow, how many times did you visit Bangladesh? Did you visit Bangladesh with your children?
Dr. I currently visit Bangladesh one to two times per year. My children visit every few years. When they were kids, we visited all together every few years.
S.I: Have you undertaken any charitable project in your village or elsewhere? If yes, what are they? What challenges, if any, have you faced in running these projects?
Dr. I am involved in supporting the following charitable projects in Roshunchak, a rural area of North-West Bangladesh:
- Managing and supporting the local mosque and Madrasa
- Developing, and sustaining a Medical Clinic, providing all financial support both for the facilities, building and staff.
- Charitable work including providing winter clothing and supporting the poor to set up small businesses.
The main challenge in running these projects has been in finding and employing reliable local staff who are able to effectively allow me to support them from the UK.
S.I: Some Bangladeshis with a basic medical degree (MBBS) come to Canada and the United States as permanent residents. However, for them, the chance of becoming practising doctors is almost zero because of numerous barriers. Is the situation in the UK or Scotland the same?
Dr. Bangladeshis with MBBS are able to practise medicine if they have the appropriate visas or are permanent residents. They will have to pass the PLAB tests and then be able to start working. Whilst Scotland / UK does have a different process for Bangladeshis, they can enter the system and providing they achieve all postgraduate training, can progress within Scotland / UK.
S.I: You have worked as a doctor for decades. Accordingly, you are familiar with healthcare under the National Health Service (NHS) system. The British system is regarded as a model of egalitarian healthcare system. Recently, some problems have been highlighted by the Economist magazine (May 25 and 29 June, 2023) and books (for example, Which Country has the best health care? by Ezekiel Emanuel) such as shortages of doctors and nurses, fewer hospital beds, long wait times, lack of comprehensive long-term care.
- Does free health care coverage in Scotland differ from that in England?
Dr. Health care in Scotland differs from England due to it being devolved to the local Scottish governments who set their own policies. For example, drug prescriptions are free in Scotland, but have to be paid for in England. There are also relatively more doctors and nurses in Scotland than England due to greater relative funding.
- Please mention briefly how the NHS can be improved from your perspective.
Dr. The NHS requires to be better funded throughout the UK, the workforce better paid and with an emphasis on long term planning. This should include more opportunities to involve an overseas workforce which has historically supported the NHS.
S.I: Can you mention some cultural differences among Bangladeshis in Glasgow across various generations (first, second, and third generations)?
Dr. As with all ethnic communities, over several generations there is gradual integration into the culture of the local community. Religious and understanding of cultural roots is important in maintaining a Bangladeshi identity.
S.I: It is often alleged that immigrants in Europe remain segregated and do not integrate socially and culturally with mainstream society. Can you make any comment in this regard with reference to Bangladeshis in Glasgow? In North America there are two models. The USA follows a ‘melting pot’ approach whereby immigrants are supposed to assimilate into mainstream society. Canada follows a ‘multicultural’ approach whereby immigrants are encouraged to maintain their cultural heritage. Where does Scotland stand in this regard? A mixed approach?
Dr. : Scotland is very supportive of a multicultural society both politically and judicially. Most local people agree with this approach.
S.I: Are Bangladeshi diaspora community in Glasgow active in Scottish politics and political parties including Scottish National Party?
Dr. The Bangladeshi community are increasingly becoming active within Scottish politics and are involved in all political parties.
S.I: Studies show that intergenerational upward mobility is higher for Asian immigrants in Canada and the United States; that is, second and third generations are better off in terms of income and occupation, compared to the first generation. Is it true for Bangladeshi immigrants in Glasgow?
Dr. Yes, as they have better education and opportunities.
S.I: Do you think that Scottish people are friendlier and more tolerant toward immigrants than their English counterparts?
Dr. Yes, Glaswegians have a reputation of being very friendly
S.I: In many big cities, in Europe and North America, Bangladeshi immigrants are divided by class and political affiliation. For example, it is alleged that rich and successful Bangladeshi immigrants do not intermingle with Bangladeshi families with low-incomes. What is the situation in Glasgow?
Dr. The role of the Bangladeshi organizations ( such as Bangladesh Association and Bangla centre) in Glasgow is to bring together Bangladeshis of all backgrounds, social status and wealth. In general, it does this very well.
S.I: How do you spend your time after retirement?
Dr. I have remained busy with several hobbies including reading, gardening and travelling; enjoying my family life, particularly with my grandchildren. I am fairly actively involved in affairs of Bangla Centre. I also give my helping hand in other community affairs when I can.
Sadequl Islam is a professor and former Chair of economics at Laurentian University, Ontario, Canada. He has an MA and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. He also has an MA in economics from Dhaka University. His research and teaching fields include macroeconomics, international economics, applied econometrics, and the Chinese economy. His publications include many articles in scholarly journals and a book The Textile and Clothing Sector of Bangladesh in a changing World Economy published by the Centre for Policy Dialogue and the University Press. He was a visiting scholar at El Colegio de Mexico, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), and the Centre for Policy Dialogue. E-mail: sislam@laurentian.ca
