KAMLOOPS — Life in B.C. and in Kamloops is starting to feel like home for many of the Syrian Refugees.
The Kamloops Mosque and the Islamic association have played a big role in their transitions.
WATCH ABOVE: Full story by Reporter Jessica Lepp
While life in Canada has become a safe-haven refugees have long dreamed of, it’s also an unfortunate reminder of what they left behind and who they’ve left behind.
Members of the Islamic Association gather for the weekly Muslim service at the Ayesha mosque in Kamloops today.
Among those is five Syrian Refugees who recently arrived in Canada and have begun to integrate into their new community.
24 year old Mustafa Zakreet arrived in Salmon Arm last month.
His short time in B.C. has been filled with many firsts which Canadians often take for granted, such as opening his very own bank account.
“I also went skiing, and snoeshoeing. It’s new to me because in Syria it didn’t snow like this here. I went to a hockey game. That was the the first time I saw a hockey game,” says Zakreet.
Indescribable, is how this father of three describes feeling when walking off the plane after landing at the Kamloops Airport on New Years Eve, greeted by a large group of total strangers.
Through a translator – Khaled Almohamad says, “it’s something I can’t describe in words, makes me happy, very much.”
While the transition has overall been good it’s the sad reality of leaving behind his family in Syria.
A war torn region – that brings bad memories.
”It’s something I want to forget. I don’t want to talk about it,” says Almohamad.
Alone and in danger was the life of 23 year old Mohamad Alsalkhdi who was fighting to stay alive in Jordan without his family.
Alsalkhdi says, “of course I miss my family. It’s been four years since the last time I saw them.”
Rodan and Rojeh Labbad are two brothers who realize just how blessed they are to be together, while other relatives are still struggling to find a way out of Syria
“I’m always worried about them, because the situation over there is not very stable,” says Rodan.
Rojeh says, “some of my friends died because of the war. It’s been very hard.”
Young Mustafa is in a similar situation – struggling to overcome the loss of his family.
“I need a lot of time to forget about things that have happened to me. When I was in Syria, before Lebanon, I lost my mom and my brothers when they blew up my house.”
But for now focusing on the future, the refugees hope to utilize their education and skills to find work.
Faisal Siddiqui is the President of the Islamic Association in Kamloops and says, “I know people are saying these refugees are lucky to get a chance to come down here, but when you meet these young men – they’re energetic, they’re ambitious, I think we are lucky to have them here.”
The refugees say Canada is safe, full of opportunities and has given them the chance to live in community with others while starting over.
