Bangladeshi
Community in Northern Ireland
Population:
Estimated 450-500 People
There
was a general consensus among
participants that around 450-500
Bangladeshis were resident in Northern
Ireland (NI).
Location in NI:
North Down, Greater Belfast, other
Participants
felt that the major concentrations of
Bangladeshis were in North Down
(Newtownards, Bangor, Holywood) and in
the Greater Belfast area, with smaller
numbers being present in other locations
across NI.
Migration: Most in last
10-15 years from G. Britain
Participants
recalled that the first members of the
community arrived as early as 1969, but
that the majority had arrived over the
last 10-15 years. Whilst some of
the community had migrated from
Bangladesh it was more common for members
of the community to come over from Great
Britain. This has increased since the
peace process began.
Generation: Most first
generation but young community
Participants
felt that the majority of the community
(around 70%) were first generation (i.e.
born in Bangladesh) with the 2nd
generation born either in England or
increasingly in NI. The second
generation is increasing in size and the
population as a whole is quite young.
Family
Size: Generally Families with
Children
Participants
reported that most of the community would
live in family nucleus with an average of
3-4 children. Extended families
(e.g. grandparents) would be present but
not the norm. Some men would be present
alone with families in England or
Bangladesh.
Gender
Balance: 1st Generation Male Majority
Whilst
the second generation would be evenly
balanced within the genders, a majority
of the first generation would be male (up
to approx 70%). This would be due mainly
to men emigrating from Britain and
Bangladesh to work and bringing families
at a later stage.
Religious
Faith: Islamic Faith (Muslim)
The
vast majority of the community is of the
Islamic faith
Identity
Misconceptions: Bangladeshi not
"Indian"
For
commercial reasons restaurants are named
and marketed as "Indian
restaurants" although the majority
of such restaurants would be staffed and
owned by Bangladeshis. As many of the
community work in the catering industry
(see employment) this has often led to
the restaurants and therefore the
community being considered Indian.
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