Hāthazāri, Bangladesh

Living in Hāthazāri is a harsh reality, with a population of nearly 500,000 people crammed into a small area. The largest and oldest Deobandi seminary in Bangladesh, the Hāṭhazārī Madrasah, has long been the subject of controversy, with allegations that it serves as a training ground for Islamic extremists. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the school has been at the center of student protests in recent years.

While the institution has produced many notable Islamic scholars, its reputation casts a shadow over the city. Hāthazāri is hardly the idyllic overseas retreat many dream of - it's a crowded, bureaucratic hub with a troubling undercurrent. This is a location best suited for those with a strong stomach and an unwavering commitment to Islamic studies.