This is a translation version of the original video documentary which was than transcribed and translated from Bengali to English. A book with the title of History of Bangladeshis in Greater Manchester has been published and it will be distributed to the libraries, schools and universities. The interview took place on 3 November 2007, so information about his personal family information may have been changed.
8.38 Alhaj Mohammed Amir Miah
8.38.1 Life in Bangladesh: Alhaj Mohammed Amir Miah was born in 1954 in the village of Singerkas, Bishwanath, Sylhet. His father’s name is late Akoddus Ali and his mother’s name is late Jomila Begum. He has five brothers and one sister, amongst them he was the eldest. All of his siblings are residing in the UK. His primary education was from Singerkas Primary School and his secondary education was from Aklim Miah Junior High School. He studied up to the class of eight.
He passed his childhood time with joy and happiness. He left Bangladesh when he was only 13 and half years of age. He did not get the opportunity to do more education due to the fact that he arrived in the UK at very young age and started to work in the restaurant but he feels proud that at least he managed to provide education to all of his children. He said five of his children are graduates and are in good professions.
His father was a farmer; he had plenty of agriculture land. He used to manage the family farming. His father was not interested in coming to the UK but he visited the UK. He said his children are educated because they are in the UK, if he did not have this opportunity than it may not have happened. There could have been different circumstances altogether.
8.38.2 Journey to the UK & Immigration:
In April 1967, he received “Boy Voucher” from his father. He contacted his cousin Monir Miah, who was living in Dargah Mahalla, Sylhet. His cousin brother helped him to obtain the Passport and get the visa from the British High Commission, Dhaka. Once the visa was received he purchased the airlines ticket.
The costs of processing the passport and Airlines ticket were paid for by his father. In September 1967, he flew from Sylhet and went to Dhaka, from Dhaka he flew by PIA and arrived at Manchester Airport. At that time he was only 13 and half years old. His father went to Manchester Airport to receive him.
At the same flight, his cousin Mahbub Ali joined him in going to Britain. Firstly they went to Burnley, where his father used to live. He stayed with his father for six weeks, and then he went to Preston. Since he came to Britain, he was able to bring his three brothers to the UK. His sister married to a British Bangladeshi, so she came to Britain as well.
8.38.3 Employment & Business:
Since his arrival to the UK he started to work at the “Kismot Restaurant” in Preston. He worked as a kitchen porter at the weekly wages of £6.50. The working hours were 10am to 3pm and 9pm to 3am. There was a flat just above the restaurant, which was for the staff. The food was also free of charge for the staff.
From 1967 to 1972 he worked in restaurants in different towns and cities. Although he initially worked as a kitchen porter he later on worked as a waiter. At that time, his wages weekly were £12.00. He then moved to Cheltenham and worked there as a waiter at the weekly wages of £18.00. After that he moved to Gloucester, Burnley, Warrington, Southport, Manchester, Lincoln, South Wales, London, Burry, Chester and North Wales.
In 1973, Mr. Miah became an experienced worker and started a Restaurant business in north Wales, the restaurant was known as the “Tajmahal Restaurant”. He became very successful with the business and with the savings he bought about eight houses in the UK. He made more profit by purchasing properties. He ran his own businesses for about 18 years.
Mr. Miah told us that he became a partner of the Restaurant where he was working. The owner of “Tajmahal Restaurant” offered the partnership and he paid £12.50 every week by the way of instalment payments. Altogether for a quarter of share he paid £4,000.00. The weekly business turnover was about £300.00 – £350.00. When he became involved with the business, the sales were increased to £800.00 – £900.00 per week.
In 1975, he became a third partner with his brother-in-law and got involved in the restaurant business in Lincoln. He paid £2,300.00 for his share. That business was also known as the “Tajmahal Restaurant”. After three years he sold his share and received £7,000.00 for surrendering his partnership.
In 1977, he entered a half partnership business in Caernarfon, North Wales. He paid £2,500.00 for his share. He was involved with this business for about 4 years. He sold his partnership for £15,000.00. In 1978, he entered a sleeping partnership with half a share and opened a restaurant business in Redding. He paid £4,000.00 for his share. After three years he sold his share for the same amount, which he originally invested.
In 1980, he entered a new partnership and opened a restaurant in Bangoor, it was known as the “Oriental Restaurant”. He was one of the third owners and he paid £2,333.33 for his share. He ran this business for two years and sold his share for the same price. In 1980, he bought the share from his partner and he paid £35,000.00 to pay out his partner. He became the single owner of the first restaurant, it was known as “Tajmahal Restaurant”. In 1989, he sold this restaurant business for £143,000.00.
In 1984, he joined a third partnership and opened a restaurant in Holyhead, it was known as the “Holyhead Restaurant”. He paid £15,000.00 for his share. He sold this business after 15 months due to the management. In 1989, he started a restaurant in Bangoor, it was known as the “Tandoori Night”. He invested £140,000.00 and bought the freehold building plus business. In 2004, he sold the “Tandoori Night” and retired from the business due to his ill health.
Mr. Miah expresses his view in terms of the UK life; generally he enjoyed the UK life. He liked to work in the restaurants where he enjoyed his time the most. His first job was at the “Kismot Restaurant” reminds him of his old memories. The owner of the restaurant was a very good person, more specifically his behaviour and personal support to all of the staff was amazing.
There was more flexibility and a good choice for food; it was a good condition, the staff quarter had heating and TV facilities. He did not have any intention of staying in the UK for an indefinite period but due to the family circumstances and welfare of his children’s education he decided to stay in the UK but he still wishes to go back to his home land and settle there.
8.38.4 Housing:
In 1960’s, the housing condition was not good enough compared to the present condition. There were no modern WC and central heating facilities. In the accommodation he was living in, there were no central heating systems but the accommodation was in very good condition. The weather was just very cold. The house’s in 1960’s sold at very good prices also, and the goods were sold at reasonable prices.
In 1989 he bought a four bedroom house for £32,000 and a eight bedroom houses for £82,000.00. In 1990, he bought a three bedroom semi detached house for £39,000.00. In 2004, he moved to Crew, and bought a three bedroom house for £100,000.00.
In 2007, he moved to Manchester due to his child’s job and for the need of community. He bought a luxury 3 bedroom house in Long sight, Manchester where he wants to stay for the rest of his life. He paid £245,000.00 and spent £50,000.00 to renovate work.
8.38.5 Social & Family:
In 1971 he went to Bangladesh and got married. In 1978 his wife came to UK. He has two daughters and three sons. Two of his daughters and one of his sons had gotten married in Bangladesh. All of his children are graduates from UK. Eldest son managing the property business, 2 of his daughters are qualified teachers and are working in schools, 2 sons are lawyers working in the solicitor firms. He has many relatives in Bangladesh and he likes to help them. He maintains a regular communication with his relatives and friends.
He said that the new generation are doing very well and they will do even better. His own children are very concise and independent minded he added. He does not interfere with their personal affairs. He said that if his children are happy then he feels the same. They have adjusted with the British culture. His brother-in-law is a successful businessman who now has a business in Lincoln.
There was no mosque. People had to do their payers (Namaz/Salah) at home. He is a very good Muslim and always does his prayer (Namaz & Fasting). He likes to help the poor people including his relatives. He is maintaining the relationship between those relatives who are residing in Bangladesh.
He said “I had a business partner known as Suruzzaman Chowdhury, he was a very simple person, and he used to forget things very quickly”. He said “there are many incidents where he was surprised and shocked to learn these stories”. His partner’s used to send the laundry to the wrong address and he used to play Littlewoods and on one occasion his partner sent a bill instead of postal order. He received a reply from them saying “Mr. Chowdhury, what have you sent to us”. His partner used to stay with him in a same room and his partner used to sing songs at night.
8.38.6 Independence of Bangladesh:
In Feb 1971, he went to Bangladesh. The war had begun on 25th March and he returned to the UK on 26th September 1971. Whilst he was living in Bangladesh, he had seen many untold stories. At the time of the war he was living at his village home in Bangladesh.
The village was very good, especially the people. There were no opponents of the Bangladesh independence; most of the people were involved in the war as freedom fighters. When he came back to the UK he took part in a demonstration in London to support the independence of Bangladesh.
8.38.7 Conclusion:
In his conclusion he said “British Bangladeshis are doing better than before”. The condition of living has been changed. His children like Bangladesh and frequently go there to see the country and people. The new generation of Bangladeshi people should take more responsibility to contribute towards the development of the Bangladeshi community.
He is spending his spare time with his family and children and is enjoying his retirement life in the UK. He would like to help the poor people in Bangladesh and like to spend some time there.