Waheduddin Ahman
Moinuddin Rashed
For more information about Bangladesh, Moinuddin recommends these sites:
updated 6/23/01
Waheduddin Ahman
by Moinuddin Rashed
This oral history was prepared by Moinuddin Rashed, a student a Bladensburg High School, for his World History Class.
I interviewed my father, Waheduddin Ahmad. He is 70 years old, married, and has nine children. He arrived in the U.S. three years ago from Bangladesh, where he was a doctor of homoeopathy. He is a Muslim and in 1997 to travelled on a Hajj to Mecca.
What are your earliest memories of your childhood?
"Well, I remember, when I was a child I liked to catch fish. My father taught me how to catch fish and one day I caught a fish that was really big. I couldn't pull it out by myself. Then I called my dad to help me. Also, I remember one more thing, and that is playing soccer. I loved to play soccer. One day I was playing soccer game with my friends when my ball burst apart on the field. I started to cry. Some time I was all alone."
How did you decide to come to the United States?
"First of all, I will start by saying the United States has a good education for people. This country has good medical facilities, so my children will not suffer illnesses. You don't have to pay for high school and you can make good money in the United States. In Bangledesh there is a lot of poverty. Also there was a lot of fight for power and the killing of innocent people. They were also killing people for their religion. So, my country had so many problems that I decided to come to the U.S."
What were your first impressions of the United States?
"My first impressions of United States? First of all, when I came to the U.S. I was scared about the English language. It was a new language for me. Also I felt so bad about sleep because, there is an 11 hour time difference from Bangladesh to the United States. I was also feeling bad because my culture and American culture are very different. Lastly some time I also felt good because, I saw so many places that are so nice. In summer I was feeling bad about sleep and language and some time I felt good, such as when I went outside. I saw many trees, cars and birds."
What have
you lost and what have your gained from your immigration to the United
States?
"I lost so many things, first of all my motherland. Also I lost my language.
I lost different kinds of food. I lost my culture, like praying five times
a day. Also I lost my religion and my friends. Lastly I lost my country's
television programs." "On the other hand, I gained some things from immigration
to the U.S., such as a U.S. green card. They gave me permission to live
in this country. Also, I got health insurance. My children got permission
to study in the public schools."
What was the happiest day and happiest time of your life?
"Well I have so many reasons. When I came in the U.S. I am happy for my children. They are growing up. I was very happy when I went Mecca. I saw a lot of Mosques. It looked very nice. I remember when I got a job, I was so happy." "Also when I was playing with my friends, we were going together in school. Also, I remember one day I was working in a house so my friend came in our home. I told him to sit down on the chair. He was going to sit down on the chair; but I pulled it out for myself. So, he fell down on the floor. I was laughing so hard. Sometimes I feel happy when I remember playing with my friends."
What was the
saddest day and saddest time of your life?
I have been very sad in my life for many reasons. One reason is my academic
life. I couldn't make my goal because I studied and had to take care of
my family, such as my mom, dad, sister and brother. At times studying
was very hard for me. When I came to the U.S. also, I was missing my culture.
I was very sad because, my three best friends died. My father, mother
and two brothers died. My two sisters also died too. Some time I feel
very sad when I remember my mom, dad, sisters and brothers died. My best
friends died too."