SU_A_21

[i] Can you introduce yourself? Who are you?
[r] I am [name], I am 31 years old, I am from Syria. I am married, I have 2 children …
[i] Where and when were you born?
[r] December 27, 1987 in Saraqib.
[i] Can you tell me something about Saraqib, about the village or the city?
[r] My city of Saraqib is a small city, but is a very beautiful city. Everyone, all people my neighborhood together such as family living, used to be …
[i] Where did you live in Saraqib? In which neighborhood? In what kind of home?
[r] I lived next to the Saraqib court. In the Mohammed Aldorastraat.
[i] That was a big house, a small house? Always in the same house.
[r] No, we have a big house. There were 5 bedrooms. We had three floors, two floors. [Talk to a third person in Arabic] We were nine people. Five boys and four girls. My father is [name].
[i] Your mother?
[r] my mother, [name].
[i] So, you were with nine brothers and sisters …
[r] Yes.
[i] … and the parents at home?
[r] Two parents.
[i] Elf?
[r] We were eleven people. Two parents, father and mother and nine brothers and sisters. Five boys and four girls.
[i] Who were your parents? The origin? Profession? From Saraqib?
[r] My profession, no, their profession support engineer in Idlib. My mother she stays at home, [talks to a third person in Arabic] Housewife. My mother housewife.
[i] How are people in Syria? Different in Saraqib?
[r] Friendly people, real friendly people. For example, if I help something for me, it’s everyone soon. He knows you or not, quickly to you. So friendly people. No racist people, the same as family together.
[i] And Saraqib is different from Aleppo or as Idlib?
[r] Yes. The difference, in Aleppo, all people don’t know everyone. For example in your neighborhood you don’t know. In my street in Saraqib, everyone knows everything, everyone. This difference.
[i] And where is Saraqib somewhere?
[r] Saraqib 50 kilometers of Turkey.
[i] Close to which cities?
[r] Close to the city of Idlib. Strategic place.
[i] strategic place.
[r] Saraqib in the corner. This ring from ALEPPO you go to Damascus you need Saraqib highway. As to Latakia, you have to go highway to Saraqib. To Turkey, you have to come to Saraqib, so. A strategic place.
[i] Can tell your something about your youth. Youth is from small to 16 years old, youth in the past. When I was small, 13 years old I left for … [speaks with others in the Arabic room] When I was small in the school. In the school, no, 7 years. When I was small, 7 years. When I was small, 7 years old, start in the school. Omar Inb-Al-Chattab, in my neighborhood.
[i] And what kind of school was that, Muslims?
[r] Muslims. No Christian or … in […] Everyone Muslims. But I have many people, friend of mine that Christian. No problem. All live together Muslims, Sunna, Shiia, everyone same.
[i] And how long have you been to school?
[r] seven, almost eight years.
[i] to how old?
[r] until 16, 17 years old.
[i] And then?
[r] then that work start with my uncle, welder. Welder first start almost three years or four years. With him, uncle. My mother’s brother
[i] Your uncle.
[r] uncle, yes uncle.
[i] or uncle.
[r] Yes, uncle.
[i] So after the school what did you do then?
[r] So quickly to work. I am the welder, welder work. I started my uncle. Almost three or four years. Then leave for Loubnan, the other country.
[i] Lebanon.
[r] Lebanon, yes. Lebanon. I worked with 80 group. For welder, all metals, windows and doors. So everything, for everything welder. Then back to Syria. Twenty years old. Then I stayed in Syria for 1 year. I back to Algeria.
[i] Algeria?
[r] Yes, Algeria. I worked two years. Also in Algeria welder. Then I should not have paper from that Algeria, should not stay. Can not stay because you have to be 28 years old, more than 28 years. If you have less 28 years you should not stay in Algeria. This rule of Algeria. I back to Syria. Then I have friend, he lives in Dubai. He spoke with me: I have a small company, so we need 2 or 3 people. When you come to Dubai. Yes I say: is not a problem. I can come to Dubai. I tell Dubai. 1 year for 1.5 years. But it’s not good Sometimes people in Dubai about me.
[i] A lot of discrimination for people from Syria?
[r] Yes, I worked with people from Syria, but the people in Dubai are not good. Not everyone, but for me is not good people. It is also warm, 45 degrees. So for welder is really difficult for me. I back to Syria. 2011 started that war. So everyone comes to the street: Freedom, Freedom in Syria. For six months this “freedom, freedom” [freedom] All people started. This police arrived on the street.
[i] In Saraqib?
[r] Yes, in Saraqib. How did that start in Saraqib? Freedom movement was one person from Freedom?
[i] No, start in, the first in Daraa, next to the border of Jordan. Start 1 or 2 person. Hearing in Idlib: Oh, in Daraa. In Saraqib many people did not want Assad, not like to stay Assad for 45 years already family of Assad in Syria is president. Hafiz Assad and [name] Assad. This is not good. King himself, it’s not president. This is King.
[i] What was life in Saraqib in Syria, for 2011? How was life under Assad? Good or not good?
[r] Good life, but … used to be safe … But when 2011 comes, that is really afraid of everyone. For example, I know for me back to the street. So ‘freedom, freedom’ I say with my friends. But that brother, no, he is scared. For the police come, arrest. He quickly arrested.
[i] Was the police already very hard for 2011? Arrest with people? If you were against Assad?
[i] not in the past, no in the past. But in the past all writing Idlib for identity card, I think, this is a problem. So in the past from Hafiz Assad, the father of [name], he has a problem with my city, Idlib. When visiting Idlib, he has a problem. Everyone comes to … Tomato comes to Hafiz Assad’s head. In Hafiz Assad’s car. In Idlib. All city in Syria, Aleppo, Hama, Homs … Don’t know what is this city. Forgotten in Syria. This idlib? Which city? For example, someone asks from Homs. Which city are you life? In Idlib. Idlib? Sometimes don’t know. Why? Because Hafiz Assad wants everyone from people in Syria this city is a bad city. Why? All people don’t like this president.
[i] Why? This president bad. Bad president, Hafiz Assad. Yes… [asks in Arabic]
[r] Dictator. This really dictator. In Idlib all people, 80 or 85% Muslim Sunna.
[i] Sunnite?
[r] Sunnite, yes. Almost it is …
[i] Is Assad also Sunnite?
[r] No, no, a Shiite, Alawi.
[i] Shiite.
[r] Shiite or Alawi.
[i] Alawi?
[r] Yes, Alawi himself Muslim, but the same among Christians, Orthodox and the Catholic sometimes. With Muslim Sunna, Shia, Alawi so … this difference.
[i] In Idlib and Saraqib are people Sunnite? And in Aleppo too? In Aleppo also sometimes Shia, sometimes Christian, or sometimes Armani. Everything is in Aleppo. In Hama too. In Hama same Idlib. But the city of Hama here, next to Hama, Province of Hama is, I think, it’s not certain … 85% or 80% So Shia or Alawi van From the sea, Latakia, Tartous, Baniyas, […] In addition to Hama province too, for Hama Shia, Alawi.
[i] And 2011 when the conflict began, the war, The rebellion, Free Syria against Assad. How was that for you? Yes, really good for me. I don’t like this man and this family. He is a dictator. I have nothing, already work, and pay for everything … Even my apartment belongs to my father. I think the same rent for everything … Electricity, for gas, everything is real … Good life, but it’s not good for everything. Always for federal [government] Is a problem. federal Syria. Everyone from federal in Syria, Sometimes that is Sunna, but your heart of yours … Heart of you, of them is with [name] Assad, with the Alawi.
[i] What happened then in 2011? You took to the streets against Assad? What happened?
[i] For me who, when we start in Daraa, in Saraqib too so I say with many friends on the street: “Hurria, Hurria, Freedom, Freedom”. So started this for six months or eight months. All this Crazy with the police … What is that? In Syria, oh, you are not allowed, you have to die. But all people not kalashnikovs, just talking … Or with my hand. I have no weapons, so. The police think, federal think, no, you have to get everyone Kalashnikovs. What is the problem, okay. I have that old brother [name]. [name] Has nothing for the street, he is scared with federal . So: “brother and come back to home”. Not allowed. Or if you come to the street with friends okay. You cannot see all your head. You have to do everything with a scarf. I say, “No, no, it’s no problem for me”. So when the police come to my city, first day I leave for others … Province of Saraqib. The police are coming to my home, all family … All family stayed at home. So my mother, my brothers and sisters. Everyone at home. So come with tank, police there is many people. Someone comes with: this house not from [name], This house many people from Irhab. You know what is Irhab? Isis. Isis … but why come with someone from the street [name] Assad must leave or something? So the police came: this building, these bad people. Come, all the boys come. Why? All boy come along. My brother and husband of my sister, [name] too, And [name] too, come with Chef. Chef said: come along, ah, is not bad, not afraid okay. Just talk, ask for you. It’s true. [name] with [name] comes together. Why do this say: Freedom, Freedom. He said: I didn’t say anything. I stayed at home, all seeing, all people many people on the street. Okay, come [name] with [name], with the neighbor [name] … [name] … So many people come together with this chef. All hand on the wall. Okay. You want Freedom? Someone said, “No, no, no.” Everyone says: “No, no”. Okay. [does sound of shooting after] with the Kalashnikov, everyone dead. What is that? So many people … my brother is dead. I saw my brother. Not me, someone. Seen this brother dead. I will certainly die. My brother stayed at home … What is that? Thinking this … for example. If your father died next to you. What is the problem? For me my heart so … my blood … Do you understand what do you mean? So yes. I want everyone from this police to die. Must die. I’m Crazy, I’m young. Yes, that’s how they start first with everyone get Kalashnikovs. Start that way.
[i] Then you were somewhere else and did you come back? And did they tell you that the police came and [name] was shot … yes? What did you do then? So back to my home. I back to my house. [speaks Arabic with interpreter]
[i] This was in 2011 or 2012?
[r] 2012. 2012.
[i] And the rebellion had started when? [speaks Arabic with interpreter, and interpreter speaks Dutch with interviewer]
[r] I was in Algeria. So last, 2011 am to Algeria, back to Algeria. [Interpreter speaks with interviewer] So you are back from Algeria to Syria?
[r] Yes, Algeria I live there for almost 1 year. Back to Algeria, the last year 2011 went back to Syria. I come on the street with all the friends. I used to see that camera, camera poor all world [world] what happen in Syria.
[i] you filmed?
[r] Yes, this film, camera film.
[i] What happened then?
[r] Yes, this one. Sometimes also help for ambulance. Ambulance for hospital. So all flights come. So comes bombs for other city, I leave my friend quickly by car So help people, this hand, foot, sometimes head. So first there was a rebellion, the federal police came to Saraqib To shoot people and then arrived with bombs? Is a lot of flight. And many militia in Hezbollah in Iran also comes. All Shia come to Syria.
[i] And also the people of Saraqib then also weapons? Kalashnikovs? Against Assad?
[r] Against Assad yes.
[i] you too?
[r] No. Thinking for me is not good. I can’t die other people. Is for me, that’s not good.
[i] What happened then? Aircraft and you with the ambulance?
[r] Yes, with ambulance, with camera too. So help people who bombard to my neighborhood. All at home. So I leave there. Is help people, come to other city or to hospital. If has problem with hand or with head, with that …
[i] What happened before you left? You eventually left Syria? No, no, no. I want to stay, I want to help people. I have money, I have a good life But that war is coming is a bit difficult. I have seen, everyone wants to help. I can help everyone, you have to stay. Yes, that’s why.
[i] What happened then? Because you finally fled? Leaving from Syria.
[r] I?
[i] Yes, to Algeria, Libya. What happened, why?
[r] Okay. Last in 2013, came to my city. So we have a problem with everyone. Is like come with me, okay, I am a friend of that. If not with me, you are an enemy. That’s why … I don’t like to get a Kalashnikov and die from the other people. I always talk about these people, your bad people. Always, on Facebook, on the street, but this dangerous for me. Maybe my car is making a bomb. Or with my brother, or with different, my family. I am afraid of this one, I leave for Turkey. Turkey to Algeria with flights. Algeria to Tunisia … Tunisia …
[i] Wait a minute, but everything had happened in Syria for that? Before you left? You used to tell me that there were still problems with the family, with planes …
[i] yes with home that … [Tank speaks Arabic with interpreter] So
[r] RBG or […] Bomber comes to my house. Almost everything is broken at home. Staying me at home is dangerous. All the walls is almost broken. Can’t anyone stay there. Yes, my mother I think okay, leave. Yes, I leave for Turkey. Turkey by plane to Algeria. Algeria I stayed 2 or 3 days. I came with my friend, a friend of my brother, [name]. Comes to Tunisia. At least I walk, walk almost 35 kilometers on the Sahara. That is really difficult for me. From Syria I paid almost 4,000 euros here.
[i] And from Tunisia?
[r] Tunisia to Libya, to Zuara. Zuara I stayed almost twenty days. About 20, 22 is like that. 700 people at the big home. Many people stay that way. You can’t sleep well.
[i] you have to wait there?
[r] No, wait for the boat. Give someone money. Okay, wait … Today departs to Italy. Okay, today. Tomorrow, this week. Okay, especially next week … Wait 22 days. At the end of August, not sure, I don’t know which day … 2014. In August We will leave for Italy.
[i] Big boat?
[r] No, five meters, I don’t know exactly. Five meters about, a little less or more. 721 people. This boat is not good, this bad boat. This man has a problem for money, I think. He has money with other people. In Libya, Italy, Many people, the chauffeur of this boat, Problems … I don’t know. This is broken.
[r] The boat?
[i] Yes.
[i] Where?
[r] leave in Libya, three or four hours. The Sea whirled. Sea … Libya and Italy, between Italy and Libya.
[i] The Mediterranean Sea?
[r] Yes. The sea here. We have a problem with the boat. This is broken. Many people on the motorcycle, almost dead, smell a lot.
[i] And when the boat was broken, what happened then? Yes, this boat is bottom is broken … [speaks Arabic with interpreter] [interpreter: the water comes in …
[i] And then?
[r] Almost then, many people dead.
[i] Has the boat sunk?
[r] The boat is coming? But comes plane from Italy and a big boat. So come help everyone.
[i] A big boat?
[r] Yes.
[i] And you in the water?
[r] Yes, in the water. Many people come to help the little one. Sometimes people died. My brother of my wife, he has four children. Two children and wife of his died on the water.
[i] So the boat was sunk and you were in the sea? Swimming?
[r] A little swimming, yes. People swam everywhere. People who swim, as a plane with the camera. Oh, problem here. I heard later after that help, this boat, big boat, is a woman of Moroccan, she works with the UN, Yes, she said, I called to Italy police. This boat problem 700 people for dangerous. All people may die. You have to leave, you have to help. You are always. That’s why this plane comes.
[i] And then? What happened then?
[r] then came to a big boat. Bit of eating a little help medical. Before it’s a bit cold, eat with that cheese. Comes to Italy, Sicily.
[i] Sicily, island.
[r] No, Italy. Sicily.
[i] Sicily.
[r] Sicily, yes.
[i] Island.
[r] Yes.
[i] Palermo?
[r] Yes. Sicily, small for the, next to the sea …
[i] Island.
[r] Yes. I was waiting for the port of Sicily. I left for by bus to hotel, large hotel or asylum center. Someone she says: you have to stay here. Take a little shower and change food and clothes. New clothes. Okay, must stay here. Yes, I left for Paris. Paris to Brussels.
[i] Only?
[r] I with my friend, [name].
[i] your friend?
[r] Yes, together. Saraqib to here.
[i] And from Italy, Sicily to Paris? By train?
[r] By train.
[i] Not difficult?
[r] no. So I pay 125 euros, approximately.
[i] just normal.
[r] Yes, is normal. No passport, no everything.
[i] And then?
[r] then I went to the Commissioner.
[i] to Belgium?
[r] to Belgium, yes, Brussels. I have no money. So all the money gone. So I have no money. So I used to think to Britain, London. Is good life, large country. But when I came to Belgium, my heart is calm. I think is good land. Yes, I have to stay here. I have no money. I have nothing. I stay here. I asked someone, I’m going to, I want a refugee here. What should I do? Yes, okay, must go to the Commissioner first. Yes, I left … September 23 to Commissariat, 2013.
[i] was it the same day you had arrived in Brussels?
[r] No, no. Two or three days earlier. No, more 10 days, 10 days with my friend.
[i] what done?
[r] Nothing. No, no with my friend in Brussels.
[i] Where do you sleep?
[r] He has apartment, small apartment. He has paper here in Belgium.
[i] A yes, he was already in Belgium.
[r] Yes, yes.
[i] of Syria?
[r] Yes.
[r] little helps me, so okay food. Is giving new clothes. So September 23, 2013 I left for the Commissioner. This is first day. So everything OK for Dublin. Dublin, I don’t have Dublin. I slept first day in the asylum center in Liege, Liège. In Liège, yes.
[i] And then?
[r] Yes and then first month I have first interview with the Commissioner. Who are you. Why came to Belgium. So many questions. Then first interview, second, third. Third interview January 10, 2015 I have paper from Belgium. So refugee 5 years.
[i] Go back for a while. When you left Syria to Europe. Why didn’t you go through Turkey and Greece?
[r] none this road, this road closed. I think this street in 2015 last year, this road. This easier than on the sea, on the Libya, Tunisia … lots of thief on the Sahara.
[i] How much did it cost from Syria to Brussels?
[r] About, not certain, 5,000 euros, little less, more. Between 4,000 and 5,000 euros.
[i] Was it difficult for contact with human smugglers?
[r] yes sometimes difficult, not sure.
[i] Also lost money?
[r] Yes, in Tunisia and Sahara. There is a lot of thief, so someone comes with a knife or with Kalashnikov: give me all the money, everyone. I, with my friend of Damascus, women and children too. So many people money … All the money from you … if you don’t give, certainly dead.
[i] And then you gave all the money?
[r] Sometimes I have money here in the pants.
[i] And not given?
[r] No.
[i] A little money?
[r] Yes.
[i] How much?
[r] Almost 2,000 euros.
[i] lost?
[r] Yes. That’s why.
[i] And then you thought, maybe I will not go to Europe anymore.
[r] No, to Tunisia, to Libya, 1,000, $ 1,500. I have money here. So all the money from me.
[i] For the boat how much?
[r] 1,000, 1,500 dollars.
[i] per person?
[r] Yes. Sometimes. Every person that price. It is not all the same.
[i] And on the road, do you have phone, mobile, internet?
[r] Yes, I sometimes have a phone and internet in Algeria. So I have SIM card from Algeria. To leave for Tunisia. So also the SIM card from Tunisia change. Everything money, double or triple.
[i] Speak your family?
[r] sometimes with family. Sometimes for GPS.
[i] So you arrived here in Brussels, Commissariat, Interviews. How was the contact with the Commissariat? Difficult? Good? Afraid?
[r] No, scared, yes.
[r] Yes, why? Yes, I think the police or federal myself my country. I’m scared, that’s why. I have to talk respect about my war, why came to Belgium. So ask who are you, you are married or not. I don’t have paper. Only identity card and driver’s license from Syria. I don’t have a passport. I have a big problem with the police when I come to another city. It’s a problem. Police certainly arrest.
[i] The first interview?
[r] First interview … Only ask: who are you? Where do you live in the past? Information about me.
[i] In Liège? And then a second interview?
[r] So second interview, a bit difficult.
[i] you were true? In Kapellen?
[r] No, in Brussels.
[i] In Brussels?
[r] In Brussels too, Commissariat, second interview.
[i] Which center was that?
[r] Liège. Province of Liège. In Nossovo.
[i] Small city. Yes, Nossovo, that eye. Ey, I think. Yes, Ey. Ey, Nossovo. [Eynatten?]
[i] The second interview, how was that like?
[r] Second interview … Giving a lot of information from the Commissioner. When war in you started. Which of the camera photographer? And help hospital, we have a problem at home, so much information. Personal information.
[i] And then?
[r] then back to asylum center. I normally wait here two interviews here in Belgium. If this man does not understand everything, okay, I have three points that he does not understand. You also have to tell, what is that for this person. What is that, what is that, that’s how I have three interviews. If I have three interviews, I am afraid why maybe back to Syria. Ah, this is a problem for me. A month, a month left, so difficult, dangerous on the sea, in the Sahara, I have nothing. I think so, you have to go back to Syria, This is really difficult. Yes, I can’t do anything. After the interview three or ten days, I have this positive. I am happy. Yes.
[i] For five years?
[r] Yes, five years. It is quiet, for me it is new life. I think about my wife. I have a child in Syria. Ah, you have to go here, fast. I want apartment, AH, is no problem for renting. The apartment is guarantee, two months. I have no money.
[i] And then you were still in Liège, or already in Antwerp?
[r] No, so I asked all Belgians in the asylum center, old people. So every week, every weekend, he comes a little talk French and someone translate Arabic. Yes, and Flemish better than Walloon. So very good and very quiet, but for work, now in Flemish better. AH, Flemish, Flemish, Okay. I became a visit to Antwerp. Yes, Antwerp, tram and bus, very quiet and fun. No tram, bus, but tram, no tram. Yes, I think this, city of diamand, work here. I want to work. I don’t like to stay with what you always give me. I am young, I have to work. Yes, I have a lot of experience for welder. I also have a driver’s license. Yes, I start with OCMW, the Netherlands lessons.
[i] In Antwerp?
[r] In Antwerp, yes. CVO Antwerp. Yes, I speak a little Dutch. Yes, okay. So good for me. I think well for me. I said, assistant of mine, OCMW, please, I want to work. She said, [name], you have to calmly, now, you have to understand everything Dutch. I have translated someone. I speak a little Dutch. Ah, okay, you have to, I speak perfect Dutch. How? Okay, for the Facebook, concert. Also with a friend of mine. So he said, I want to play theater. I like to, I like to sing too. With concert. Okay, a weekend, we go to concert with friends. I am [name], I want to play theater or work with you a bit, volunteers. And also, I visit, I went to church, here in Antwerp. Giving food to those people, no money, no paper. A little speak Dutch. Someone Moroccan talks Arabic, Arabic speaks. Yes, I translate a little, listen a little, hear a little. The Netherlands, also in school, Dutch in the evening. Received a lot of Dutch. Yes, speak a little, a little, a little Dutch. Yes, okay. So I worked Article 60, this rule of Belgium. With [name]. Welder, in Antwerp too. This man of concert wife.
[i] And what did you do there?
[r] welder.
[i] welder?
[r] welder. For everything, metal, for doors, windows. He works with Opera, with Arenberg, with everything.
[i] Decor for theater?
[r] Yes, decor for theater, everything.
[i] He makes read …
[r] Assembly, and welder, and wood too, painter.
[i] worked one year?
[r] Yes, one year. I started with him 2016, 2017.
[i] And was it difficult to find a house in Antwerp for you?
[r] In the past yes, but it was not easy. Now really difficult. But in the past a little easier than now.
[i] Now harder?
[r] Yes.
[i] Why? Many people came to Antwerp. For guarantee, much expensive. Two months, for example, 500, plus 500, thousand euros. So for money, not give someone through […]. Yes, you have to contract. That owner of the apartment. So better of him, someone has work. So […] A bit difficult. Maybe you have a problem with […]. […] All money stops. That’s why it’s a bit … Someone, no problem. Give me a two -month guarantee, okay, can be.
[i] And when did your family come?
[r] Family of mine May 2015, the first day. My wife and my child, [name], child of mine, boy came to Berchem.
[i] How old was [name] then?
[r] was about three years old.
[i] And was it difficult to get procedure here?
[r] Yes, so …
[i] papers or DNA or how?
[r] No, so … I written through the Commissariat. So I am married to [name], boy, [name] Is paper. You have passport. Turned along, birth date, a sarak or something, everything correct. To Ankara consulate, in Turkey. So everything happens okay, I can give Visa.
[i] How long after one year of waiting?
[r] No, around two months.
[i] you had come here?
[r] No, Give Visa around two months. But wait … almost a year.
[i] So you had arrived in Belgium and how long?
[r] Almost a year.
[i] About a year?
[r] Yes, almost a year. Ten or eleven months, a year.
[i] And how was it?
[r] I am happy for sure my family is coming to Belgium. Certainly, I’m happy. I want new life. I am alone, that is difficult for everything. But family here is a bit quiet.
[i] How was it for your family to get here, difficult?
[r] A bit difficult, yes. My wife is an engineer. She studies at the University of Aleppo. It has stopped one year, the last year. She also has a problem with the police, from Aleppo. She can’t come to University.
[i] And here, was it difficult for her in Belgium?
[r] First 1 year, a bit difficult. For Dutch, a little difference from Syria and here. It’s not the same.
[i] And for you?
[r] For me, yes, for [name] that is smaller. Now that he can speak Dutch. He goes to school, my wife too. She goes to school, she speaks a little Dutch. Yes, now easy to live.
[i] The difference between Syria and Belgium, is it difficult for [name]?
[r] No, no, no. But when I come to Belgium, always think for war. I lived here in Berchem, next to Berchem airport. Flights come, o, oh, so do. Is scared. Daddy, dad, bomba, bomba. Is a bit scared. He seen everything in Syria. Bombs, everyone dead. Someone seen them. Yes, this death on the street is difficult for him. It is three years old, but it is always memory [memory] of him. I want to forget everything. I spoke with his teacher of him. He used to live in Syria, that is a bit difficult. Yes, okay, you have to forget everything. You need new life here. Everything you have to forget. Yes, play [name], learn a little Dutch. During the weekend comes to park to play, play football. Yes, it’s a bit … I want to forget everything for war. You need new life here.
[i] And you still have a child?
[r] Here in Berchem, yes. [name] [name] Yes, born here in Antwerp.
[i] How old is he?
[r] now … three years.
[i] Your wife has come, you have made a child.
[r] Yes.
[i] Where do you live in Belgium?
[r] I live in Antwerp, in Berchem.
[i] Is it good there?
[r] Yes, it’s very good, very quiet. They are friendly people. Many old people, but really friendly people.
[i] Many people here friendly in Antwerp from Syria? Or much from Belgium?
[r] sometimes people from Syria, so racist. Sometimes. Because here in Belgium … Is not seen. Yes, not seen for racists. Yes, I saw once in my park. My wife is wearing hijab. Someone comes, I think drank or something, So often bad words. I heard, but don’t do anything. Do nothing.
[i] Were you angry, a bit?
[r] A bit, but it’s not everyone. Your hand is not the same. Your hand is not the same. Finger is not the same. So here in Belgium people sometimes not everyone is the same.
[i] Do you mainly have friends from Syria here? Or from Belgium? Where are your friends from?
[r] Yes, I have Syria, from Moroccan, from Spain, from Portuguese. And Belgium too.
[i] Do you still have a lot of contact with tradition here in Belgium, from Syria? Of food, eat at home?
[r] Yes, sure. My wife she can cook well, Syrian food. Here in Antwerp, in Brussels too, many restaurants open. I now work in the port of Antwerp, at a good company, MSc.
[i] And what are you doing?
[r] Welder, repair the container.
[i] How long?
[r] now via interim. Via Interim, the last year I have contact with them.
[i] And your colleagues?
[r] Colleagues is difficult not Dutch. Sometimes chef talks to me, speaks to me Dutch, but colleague is Van Poland. And Romanian too. And another country. Many people English. I can speak English Little. A little English, not …
[i] Difficult? A bit difficult, if not understanding … Ah, chef, please, I can’t understand well. So translate a little with Dutch. Yes, I understand. As understanding, new learning English.
[i] Learning English?
[r] Yes, yes.
[i] You say, I like to sing?
[r] Yes.
[i] What do you like to sing?
[r] Of Arabic, of Syria.
[i] Of Syria?
[r] Yes.
[i] What kind of songs? From love songs or of popular songs?
[r] Everything, everything in Syria.
[i] Do you want to try something? [Interviewee sings in Arabic]
[i] Very beautiful.
[r] I played theater, Theater for Denk for Life, In Seven Eyes, with [name].
[i] Actor?
[r] Actor, yes. Here in Antwerp. With [name] too.
[i] And the song, what is it about? What is the song about? Sung the song, but what about?
[r] Yes, so … My mother she lives in Syria. I live here, so it is difficult for me. It’s for … Abandoned or something, I live here in Belgium. My mother she lives in Syria. My brother [name], my brother [name] Arrested in 2012. And he studied in University, in Aleppo. So if the police came to university, everyone was arrested. So my heart is tired. So staying from here, I always think family, about that.
[i] So a little nostalgia.
[r] Yes.
[i] Of your brother and mama. And… Could you say, are you happy now?
[r] Yes. Yes. A new life here. I have car, I have work, I have everything.
[i] And what is you missing? What is still needed?
[r] I want all people to have no money in Syria. I really like to help old people here. No problem for me at the weekend. Little learn Dutch too. Yes, buy a home. And work well here. Or open a restaurant or something later in the future.
[i] Do business?
[r] or do business, yes.
[i] And are you still afraid of something?
[r] No, no, no.
[i] of Syria?
[r] No. Yes, from Syria, family, friend, the neighborhood. So I don’t know how that life. It is difficult, but always think of them.
[i] of your family, always.
[r] of my family always, for sure.
[i] And your mom?
[r] Yes, Mama. I can’t do anything for Mama. I can’t go back to Syria.
[i] Maybe in the future?
[r] Future, I think, yes, a bit difficult. But maybe mum come here, better. I think for me, a bit difficult.
[i] And how are things in Saraqib? Is it the same or is?
[r] No, now the Army [army]. None is.
[i] None is?
[r] No.
[i] Assad?
[r] No.
[i] No Assad?
[r] No, no Assad. And army of freedom , what does that mean?
[r] Free army.
[i] Free Army.
[r] Free Army. Free Army, yes. Very calm and very good. Turkey too. Turkey.
[i] Turkey too?
[r] Turkey, yes. In Saraqib, in the province of Saraqib.
[i] And that is why Assad is not coming?
[r] No, no, no. Now the rule of Turkey and Russia. Bashar Assad, president of Syria, does not say anything. Everything outside. You have to do that way. Bashar, he can’t do anything. In Idlib, Saraqib, in all provinces of Idlib, it must now be quiet. Turkey is coming, Russia comes a different side. In Saraqib, many gendarmes, police of Turkey. From Army too.
[i] For I had heard in the past, many people from everywhere, from Syria, Aleppo other cities, bring to. ..
[r] Idlib, Idlib, yes.
[i] Free Army.
[r] Free Army in Al-Ghouta. Al-Ghouta, province of Damaskus, is coming to Idlib. And Daraa too, to Idlib. Homs, to Idlib. Deir Ez-Zor, to Idlib. So all the cities of Syria, stay here in Idlib. So many people, women, children, old people, in Idlib. All against Assad must stay here. Assad think later, so everyone dead. You have to die.
[i] Assad maybe wait, but Turkey and Germany away, and then …
[r] Yes. Now three million. Three million in Al-Ghouta. [6 million] I think, yes, six million people in Idlib. Many people.
[i] And do you often think of Syria, every day in Syria?
[r] Not every day. So sometimes if works, so no thinking, for work. If back to home, or drove on the street, yes, Syria, little bit. I can’t forget. It’s hard for me.
[i] Do you want to forget, the war?
[r] I want to forget, but I can’t. I do. But I can’t.
[i] Are you going back to Syria?
[r] now, no. No, certainly not.
[i] maybe a future?
[r] maybe. Not sure, maybe. Future, maybe my country calmly. None is, not Bashar al-Assad president. It is safe. Yes, I can go back.
[i] So now, here in Belgium, what is the biggest dream for you? Still make children?
[r] No, no, child not. I have two children, maybe. Yes, maybe. Stay good. Good life in the future. Certainly company open. Independent. Not back to village, or something. No, no. Certainly business or different. Or maybe with MSc. I stay, I don’t know.
[i] Some things have not told you But you can tell other things. From story, some things, details.
[r] Yes, you can tell.
[i] Are you here with a tram or car today?
[r] With car.
[i] With car.
[i] It is possible to bring me later, With material, to the center?
[r] That is no problem.
[i] To the center?
[r] No problem.
[i] With tram maybe too little time.
[r] No, no, no problem. With car. That’s no problem.
[i] to museum?
[r] Yes, yes, that’s no problem.
[i] Is there anything important that you want to say?
[r] Thank you for all people in Belgium. It is really very good land for me. It is very good land. Yes, that’s all.
[i] Okay, [name]. Thank you. Thank you.
[r] Was good, right?