National Identity, Mode of Networking and Integration of Bangladeshi Community in a Multi-cultural Society: Migrant Bangladeshis in Peninsular Malaysia

Nation is referred to as ‘imagined community’ (Anderson 1991) that bears a common sense of belonging across various parts of a country. Behind that feeling of commonality national culture (of that nation) is identified as a stimulating force that binds people together. Across the border, among the migrant Bangladeshis in Malaysia, the accumulation of diverse groups of people in a common platform is not a widespread reality. Instead of homogeneity, heterogeneity is the most practised cultural reality among these migrants. The presence of intra and inter divisions based on respective demand and interest is a social fact in the study area. To accomplish everyday necessity networking is maintained, where nationalism is not an essence. It works, but is not the one and only factor. Rather, the nurturing of class/status interests, values and exploitation as well, regionalism and affiliation with the local authority by a body of professionals, businessmen and workers is very common. Along with this the formation of versatile identities through integration and interaction with multi-ethnic people, present in Malaysia, is another reality. In fact, the article will be an exploration of the mode of networking followed by the community to survive in Malaysia and the applicability of some concepts as, ‘nationalism’, ‘multiculturalism’, ‘homogeneity’, ‘heterogeneity’ and ‘hybridism’ behind their networking.