MD ARIFUL Islam and his wife Summiyah Afrose Mumira came to Gladstone four months ago for work.
While Md works as a chief engineer, his lovely wife is looking after their six-month-old Rumysa.
“We have found a lot of Bangladeshi people here,” said Summiyah.
“There are lots of small communities here, in Bangladesh there is so many many people.”
Summiyah is studying a diploma of childcare, and hopes to work in the field when she is finished.
The couple came to Australia in 2013, where Md studied in Tasmania before a brief stint in Sydney.
“I really like it here because the people are really nice.
“But I wish there was a big shopping mall for Gladstone so my wife can go shopping,” he laughed.
Md said there needed to be more communication about Islam.
“I have colleagues that think all Islamic want what the extremists want,” he said.
“But it’s the individuals that are the problem. Bad people are everywhere.
“As a Muslim we have some responsibilities to tell people what is not true. Islam means peace.
“It is important to mix with the community. It’s about respecting all parts of community and their religions.”
He said some people questioned Islamic customs such as how Muslim women were treated, but he said all the women were treated with the same respect as an English person would give the Queen.
“All the women are like Queens to us, we treat them with the same respect,” he said.
-The Observer