MOHAMMED

Mohammed was born into a wealthy family in 1967, the younger of two sons. A solid respectable background and a family owned business all ensured that Mohammed would be able to live a comfortable existence and be able to provide well for his family in years to come.

He was educated to a standard that befitted his family's status and when old enough trained in the complexities of the family business.

Mohammed's father also had another passion, a passion for politics. During the late 1970's this passion led him to be in direct opposition to Sadam Hussain.

What followed became a nightmare for Mohammed's father and the young Mohammed. His father was arrested in 1982 and imprisoned for 5 years. His release came during 1987 and to the young man Mohammed a terrible injustice had been made; he had inherited his father's passion for politics and now began to actively support his father against Sadam Hussain.

His father was continually watched after his release from prison, by the secret police, however, this did not deter him or his sons from continuing to run the family business and in raising their voices in disdain for a now ruthless leader.

It was during this time that Mohammed had married; however, Sadam was not prepared to allow them any happiness. They were deprived of the family business, Mohammed himself was then arrested and his home taken from him, leaving his young wife no option other than to return to her family home.

The arrest went hand in hand with countless hours of torture, the results of this still requiring an operation today to repair the damage on his shoulder, the consequence of being hung by his arms for hours at a time. Then came the twenty-year prison sentence, and the news that his brother had also been arrested and murdered.

Secretly his father began making plans for Mohammed's escape, payments to various people were made and a waiting game began. When the time was right Mohammed made his escape and went into hiding.

He secretly became reunited with his wife; it was during this time together that she conceived their first child.

His father was very aware that they were still being watched and that the developing pregnancy placed them in grave danger, he now frantically began to make arrangements for Mohammed to leave the Country.

Contacts were made and a guide paid for. Mohammed snatched stolen time with his wife and son, knowing that he would have to leave both of them behind, neither being strong enough to endure the gruelling eighteen-hour trek out of Iraq.

And so in the early part of 1996 Mohammed began his journey to freedom, arriving in Jordan exhausted he was confronted by the secret service from there and again arrested, an agreement between Iraq and Jordan ensured that asylum seekers were returned to Iraq. Again bribery proved to be the only means of escape.

Escape then took the form of an aeroplane, landing in Stanstead, England in August 1996.

Another waiting game began; his fate now lay in the hands of the Home Office. This waiting game took place in a bed and breakfast hotel on the outskirts of Dover, he was not allowed to work, and kept himself busy with English lessons and reading to improve his language skills.

Permission to work was granted after six months and employment found, Mohammed now found himself living and working in Canterbury. He worked long hours saving as much money as he were able. His confidence grew, as did his social circle. His command of English, both written and oral improved, he now felt able to apply for a more challenging position. With his unique understanding of the plight of asylum seekers, the position of team leader at a reception centre for refugees, was the opportunity he had been waiting for, thus his return to Dover.

It was during 1999 that word finally reached him that his father had been murdered in 1997.

Mohammed threw himself into his work, finding solace in helping other asylum seekers, ensuring that his mind could not dwell on matters he had no control over. This continuing regime of working and saving had now placed Mohammed in a position to purchase his first house in England.

Mohammed has now had this house for five months. He continues to work and in his spare time proceeds with the modernisation of his home.

He is still waiting for the Home Office.

He is still waiting for his wife and son.

This Page was last updated: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 at 2:17:36 PM
This page was originally posted: 26/2/03; 2:09:33 pm.
Copyright 2004 Thanet Refugee Access