Dhaka, March 20 -- "We were living in peace. Now it feels like a major danger could strike at any time. Even on Eid day, we are praying for the war to stop."

The words came from Nurul Amin, a Bangladeshi expatriate in Bahrain, who said sirens, fear of attacks and rumours on social media kept him awake through Chand Raat, the night before Eid.

Nurul, from Brahmanbaria, has been working as a cleaning supervisor in Bahrain for several years.

Like him, around 150,000 Bangladeshis in the Gulf country are gripped by varying levels of anxiety. Even on Friday's Eid, their day is marked by unease.

Abdul Malek from Sylhet, a driver in Bahrain, joined Eid prayers on Friday morning in light rain. But the sense of fear followed him there.

"We've ...