My wife, Habiba, and I recently had the joy of celebrating our 75th birthdays together, surrounded by friends and family. Both of us reached this milestone in the same year, which fills our hearts with deep gratitude and admiration. For me, however, this marks my “official” 75th birthday – a designation shaped by a common practice in our generation in Bangladesh. When I was in high school in my village, the headmaster adjusted my birth year, making me appear a year or two younger for the purposes of registering for the Secondary School Certificate examination. At that time, such adjustments were commonly made for boys, as government job eligibility was limited to those under 27 years old. Since formal birth records were uncommon and birthdays were rarely recorded and seldom documented.
Habiba was initially hesitant about celebrating our birthdays, as she had never made much of a fuss over her own. For her, birthdays felt like any other day – unremarkable and routine. Occasionally, our family – especially the children – would take the initiative to organize a small celebration, but it was never something she eagerly anticipated. As our 75th birthday approached, I gently encouraged her to mark the occasion with our friends and family. At first, she remained uninterested, finding the idea dull and uninspiring. Nevertheless, I persisted, reminding her to savour this special milestone.
Habiba’s reluctance was shaped in part by her early loss – her father passed away at just 33, when she was only eight years old. She often remembered his desire to live a longer life. With time and reflection, Habiba warmed to the notion of celebrating our 75th birthday. We both realized that reaching this age is a significant accomplishment, a privilege not everyone gets to enjoy and celebrate. It provides a meaningful opportunity to look back on the journey, cherish the love we have shared, and appreciate the wisdom we have gained. And with that spirit in mind, we want to share our experience and views with the readers of the Global Bangladesh.
Aging and wonder: Celebrating 75th birthday
Reaching the age of 75 is a remarkable milestone. Both Habiba and I see it as a profound blessing, and we are sincerely grateful to the Almighty for allowing us to share this moment together. With hearts brimming with joy and appreciation, we welcomed our guests—mainly friends, fellow seniors from our Bengali community, along with several family members—to the University of British Columbia (UBC) Golf Club on 24 August 2025 to commemorate this special occasion.
Our brief remarks during the celebration revolved around the theme, “Aging and Wonder: 75 Years of Grace and Growth”. Sharing this age together is an extraordinary gift, and we were genuinely moved to have our friends and family – many of whom have journeyed with us in Vancouver over the past thirty years (1995–2025) – join in marking this milestone. Over the past three decades, we have grown together here in Vancouver, and seeing so many familiar, cherished faces gathered at the event filled our hearts with deep gratitude and emotion.
Choosing the right words to honour a 75th birthday is no simple task. Some may prefer to call it a Diamond Jubilee, while others describe it as a significant “milestone” – a memorable point that marks a life rich in experience and growth. Turning 75 is much more than reaching another year; it is a symbol of a journey shaped by resilience, wisdom, and countless cherished memories.
This milestone naturally invites reflections. In my youth, I seldom pondered what reaching 75 would truly mean. Yet, as I stood before our friends and family, I recognized the true beauty of aging: it is a privilege to continue evolving, learning, and experiencing love in ever-deepening ways – both in giving and receiving. These years have held triumphs and challenges, laughter and tears, joyful welcomes and poignant farewells to loved ones. Through every moment, we have shared this journey together with our friends and the community, and for that, our gratitude knows no bounds.
Every day, Habiba cherishes what she calls her “three wonders of aging”. First, she makes it a priority to leave the apartment, embracing the world beyond her doorstep. Second, she keeps herself active – whether it’s a brisk walk, a session of yoga, or an energetic game of badminton. Third, she seeks out meaningful conversations with those around her, enriching her days through connection.
About two years ago, as she was warming up for a walk in the park, Habiba engaged in a conversation with an elegantly dressed elderly woman resting on a bench, supported by two walking sticks. During their chat, Habiba shared, “I’m 73”. Without missing a beat, the woman replied, “I’m 92”. Habiba was truly astonished – the woman looked much younger than her age and radiated beauty. Habiba gradually learned that her name was Paula and that she lived at a posh seniors residence, called Seasons Retirement Community, just across the street from our apartment building. Paula quickly became a source of inspiration for Habiba.
Paula imparted two invaluable lessons to Habiba: “Always look after your own health” and “Take charge of your own finances”. Since their first meeting, Habiba and Paula have enjoyed frequent chats whenever their paths cross. Now 94, Paula’s enduring beauty and resilience continue to inspire Habiba, and she remains one of Habiba’s cherished wonders.
Aging is often misunderstood as a period of decline – a time when life is said to go “downhill”. Yet, our experience reveals that growing older is rich with wonder and possibility. At 75, each sunrise, every gathering, and every smile become more meaningful than ever before. This is a time to reflect on the intricacies of our lives, find joy in its simplicity, and embrace the gentle rhythm that each new day brings.
Celebrating this milestone – cutting the cake, lighting the candles, and making heartfelt wishes – is not a conclusion, but rather the continuation of a remarkable journey we had together. Aging has deepened and enriched our stories, transforming us in unexpected ways. In fact, the most exciting chapters may still lie ahead, waiting to be written with the same sense of wonder that has guided us thus far.
Marking a 75th birthday gives us a precious moment to pause: to honour the years behind us and eagerly anticipate the possibilities that remain ahead. Life continues to offer opportunities for growth, moments to embody grace, and occasions to inspire those around us. Today is not only about celebrating past accomplishments, but also about embracing the legacy of wisdom, courage, and open-heartedness that comes with age. We look forward – filled with hope and curiosity – to the many wonders yet to come. We appreciate the generous reflections and remarks made by some of our friends and family members at the birthday event. We express our gratitude to all.
The 13th century Persian poet Rumi wisely wrote, “Forget your age. If you have dreams to achieve, you are still young”. These timeless words resonate deeply with us, as we continue to dream and pursue new goals. Recently, Habiba and I embarked on an exciting new chapter: we launched an edited volume entitled Bangladeshi Diaspora in Canada. Through this project, we aim to serve both the contemporary Bangladeshi community and future generations of Bangladeshis in Canada. Nearly two dozen Bangladeshi-Canadian scholars from across the country will contribute, sharing stories of immigration, settlement, and the evolving social history of the diaspora.
Habiba is also working on her second memoir in Bangla, Bangal Meyer Smritikotha: Itihas, Samaj, Rajniti O Brihottor Paribar (Memoir of a Bengali Woman: History, Society, Politics, and Extended Family). The extended family in Vancouver and throughout Canada features prominently in these fascinating narratives, weaving together personal and collective memories. These books will become cherished additions to our shared tapestry – a new chapter in the ongoing story we write together, and a memory we will treasure for years to come.
Mohammad Zaman
Dr. Mohammad Zaman is an internationally known development/ resettlement specialist. He has worked in many major projects for the World Bank in Bangladesh and in other countries in Asia and Africa. Dr. Zaman’s most recent edited book (co-editor Mustafa Alam) is titled Living on the Edge: Char Dwellers in Bangladesh, Springer, 2021. E-mail: mqzaman.bc@gmail.com
Habiba Zaman
Habiba Zaman is Professor Emeritus at Simon Fraser University. She was also an associate member of SFU Labour Studies Program. Professor Zaman is author of several books, journal articles, reports, and conference proceedings including Asian Immigrants in “Two Canadas”: Racialization, Marginalization, and Deregulated Work (2012; translated in Mandarin, 2021). She is a co-editor of Canada 150 Conference Proceedings on Migration of Bengalis (2018) https://doi.org/10.21810/sfulibrary.73. E-mail: habiba_zaman@sfu.ca
