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The bustling East London neighbourhood that feels like you're living in Bangladesh


“The best thing about living in Shadwell is you are living with people like you,” says a local who has lived and traded in the area for more than 20 years. The heartland of the Bangladeshi community in London falls within the borough of Tower Hamlets, where over 40 per cent of people are Bangladeshi. In Shadwell North, that figure rises to 54.7 per cent.

The presence of Bangladeshi community in this area goes all the way back to the 1920s, when lascars - or sailors sailors - who worked for the East India Company came from the Sylhet district of Bengal. Though the South Asian sailors lived in extreme deprivation and struggled to settle into life in Britain, many formed communities around Shadwell.

Iman Sarwar, 45, lives in the Shadwell area and has seen the area grow and change over the years. Iman told MyLondon: “It was a good area to live in before and it is now, but things have changed. Before there were less people and it wasn’t as crowded. The area used to be quieter and cleaner but these things have changed too.”

“The best thing about living in this area is the belonging and community, you are living with people like you. We can support one another and help each other when we need to.”

Afrooza Begum who has lived in the area for 13 years said the area has changed substantially with more businesses coming into the area. She said 'more and more Bangladeshi [people] coming' into the area is something that makes her happy.

Local Imam Ibrahim Ali, 27 from the Ashaadibi Centre said the congregation is largely Bangladeshi with Somali and Arab Muslims coming to join prayers too. Ibrahim said: “The mosque does what it can by putting on activities for men and women in the community especially the youth because there aren't many youth centres or opportunities.”

Saleem said: “It’s great to live somewhere where you can live within your community. It’s crowded but it’s a great way to bond with other Bangladeshi people. The best part about living here is you will feel like you are in Bangladesh.”

Source: My London
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