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I was an Iraqi refugee. I keep thinking of the 2 million displaced Syrians I was an Iraqi refugee. I keep thinking of the 2 million displaced Syrians
(7 days later)
As world powers debate the fate of Syria, there is much less discussion surrounding the status of Syrian refugees, even though their status remains critical.As world powers debate the fate of Syria, there is much less discussion surrounding the status of Syrian refugees, even though their status remains critical.
The United Nations estimates that over two million Syrians have been displaced, many fleeing to neighboring countries seeking aid and shelter. Like those refugees, my family and I fled Iraq in 1991 for many of the same reasons; violence and oppression overcame many parts of our country and religious persecution was a daily reality.The United Nations estimates that over two million Syrians have been displaced, many fleeing to neighboring countries seeking aid and shelter. Like those refugees, my family and I fled Iraq in 1991 for many of the same reasons; violence and oppression overcame many parts of our country and religious persecution was a daily reality.
After fleeing Iraq, we lived in various refugee camps for three years. In the beginning, we stayed on the borders of Iraq, clinging to our home and what we knew, until we were granted permission to enter Saudi Arabia and await visas from whatever country would take us. Various countries offered visas to different families; it was almost a luck of the draw type of thing. Mostly, we just waited patiently in the heat of the desert, protected only by the cement blocks that housed us.After fleeing Iraq, we lived in various refugee camps for three years. In the beginning, we stayed on the borders of Iraq, clinging to our home and what we knew, until we were granted permission to enter Saudi Arabia and await visas from whatever country would take us. Various countries offered visas to different families; it was almost a luck of the draw type of thing. Mostly, we just waited patiently in the heat of the desert, protected only by the cement blocks that housed us.
My parents later shared their difficulties. I was still too young to comprehend the dangers we faced. Saddam's thugs were out to terrorize those who would dare escape, setting camps ablaze and even killing the men. It was almost as if Saddam wished us dead no matter where we were.My parents later shared their difficulties. I was still too young to comprehend the dangers we faced. Saddam's thugs were out to terrorize those who would dare escape, setting camps ablaze and even killing the men. It was almost as if Saddam wished us dead no matter where we were.
My parents did not sleep much at night, instead keeping vigil and praying for our safety and a successful escape. It was finally in 1994 that we received the news that we waited for: we qualified to come to the United States of America on refugee status. Settling into the snow, something we had never seen before, we began our new lives in a cold and far land known as Michigan.My parents did not sleep much at night, instead keeping vigil and praying for our safety and a successful escape. It was finally in 1994 that we received the news that we waited for: we qualified to come to the United States of America on refugee status. Settling into the snow, something we had never seen before, we began our new lives in a cold and far land known as Michigan.
Growing up as a refugee in the United States was not easy. With no college degrees and little understanding of English, my parents were forced to raise us upon what little they could make or earn from the government or at their temporary jobs. We moved more times than I can count, and repeatedly said good bye to old friends and were forced to make new ones. There were seasons when we did not have proper shoes. My dad once recounted to me that he waited at the bus stop in his sandals despite the inches of snow that accumulated around him.Growing up as a refugee in the United States was not easy. With no college degrees and little understanding of English, my parents were forced to raise us upon what little they could make or earn from the government or at their temporary jobs. We moved more times than I can count, and repeatedly said good bye to old friends and were forced to make new ones. There were seasons when we did not have proper shoes. My dad once recounted to me that he waited at the bus stop in his sandals despite the inches of snow that accumulated around him.
The local food banks knew us by name. I remember hanging my head in shame when I was in line with my parents. It was like that for a long time. It was not until I was a little older that things became easier for us. In 2011, we were finally able to secure full ownership of our house, a very, very happy moment for my parents.The local food banks knew us by name. I remember hanging my head in shame when I was in line with my parents. It was like that for a long time. It was not until I was a little older that things became easier for us. In 2011, we were finally able to secure full ownership of our house, a very, very happy moment for my parents.
In May, I became a first generation college graduate, and with four more siblings in line behind me, we hope to make our parents proud. I have returned to Iraq twice since my immigration, and leave with my heart always yearning to go back. I pray for the violence to leave Iraq so that we can one day return in peace.In May, I became a first generation college graduate, and with four more siblings in line behind me, we hope to make our parents proud. I have returned to Iraq twice since my immigration, and leave with my heart always yearning to go back. I pray for the violence to leave Iraq so that we can one day return in peace.
We have been granted full American citizenship, and thus enjoy the rights of voting, practicing our religion freely, learning, and working in this new country. Although the political climate has been difficult, especially post 9/11, we remain dedicated to living up to the ideals that every one should have of equality, freedom, justice, and education.

In a way, I can relate to the Syrian refugees. They love their homes and want to stay in their country, but due to the circumstances, cannot. I hope that in the wake of a possible global conflict, politicians, world leaders, and activists take time to see the refugees for what they are – a people who have been forced to leave, not a people who want to leave their homeland. I hope that many countries will open their arms to refugees who have no other options like mine once did.		We have been granted full American citizenship, and thus enjoy the rights of voting, practicing our religion freely, learning, and working in this new country. Although the political climate has been difficult, especially post 9/11, we remain dedicated to living up to the ideals that every one should have of equality, freedom, justice, and education.

In a way, I can relate to the Syrian refugees. They love their homes and want to stay in their country, but due to the circumstances, cannot. I hope that in the wake of a possible global conflict, politicians, world leaders, and activists take time to see the refugees for what they are – a people who have been forced to leave, not a people who want to leave their homeland. I hope that many countries will open their arms to refugees who have no other options like mine once did.
Keeping that in our minds and hearts, perhaps we can think twice before bringing more violence to a country already ridden with it and perhaps, the refugees will one day have a country of peace to return to.Keeping that in our minds and hearts, perhaps we can think twice before bringing more violence to a country already ridden with it and perhaps, the refugees will one day have a country of peace to return to.
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