Nazir Ahmad Mushfiq

full interview

Hello, can you introduce yourself? 
My name is Nazir Ahmad Mushreq.

Where were you born? 
I was born in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan.

Do you want your real name to be mentioned in today’s interview, or do you want to choose another name? 
No. It is not a problem if my real name is mentioned.

Well, okay. Explain to us about life in Afghanistan and America, how does immigration go? Did you encounter problems or was it easy? 
Naturally, in every country when we become refugees we have our own problems. However, our problems…ahh….

For example, what were the major problems that stood in your way? Were there financial problems or was it, for example, the language? 
There were also financial and language problems, but for now our problems have been solved to some extent and we hope that we will not have any problems in the future.

Can you give a little more information? How? When you started your journey, was it easy for you to get a visa? In addition, why did you leave Afghanistan? 
We had visa problems, but we managed to get our visa. We left Afghanistan due to security problems. Because I had a military background and my family was under threat and we had to leave our homeland and come and become refugees. 

You mentioned threats. Who threatened you and what security problems did you have? 
The terrorist group that currently rules in Afghanistan threatened us. All the soldiers who used to work in the government were targeted, threatened and imprisoned. Now, I have information that some of those who stayed there died and some of them are political prisoners.

How do you feel in America, did you get used to the environment here? Do you still have any problems?
Our language problems have been solved to some extent and our asylum problems have not been completely solved yet. We are waiting for the final decision of the court. Other problems are slowly solved.

You said that your asylum problems have not been solved yet. How long have you been in America and do you think this asylum process was a big challenge or a long process? 
Yes. It has been a long process and it still is. Currently, our asylum process is going on in the court. Our final trial has not yet passed. We are waiting for the final decision to guarantee our asylum. Because more of my problems are due to asylum. As long as I do not get asylum, the government will not give me many privileges.

Okay. What do you dream for the future? 
I am going to finish my studies. I am currently studying language and I have reached the fourth semester. After this preparation, I will take the university exam and try to become a good psychologist in the future. I want to study psychology. 

Can you tell me why you are interested in psychology? 
Well. I used to be interested in studying psychology, but I did not have the opportunity and now I have. I want to achieve my dreams.

Do you feel lonely here because people do not speak your language? Do you feel that your friends are not with you? 
Naturally, this is a new place and country, and until we get used to the people, environment and laws of this country, we will feel lonely. However, in the future, these problems may be solved.

You mentioned more about the rules. Are the rules here different from the country where you lived? Or is it difficult for you to accept these rules? 
The rules here are completely different from our country. However, we have to follow the laws of this country because we became refugees here and accept its rules.

What challenges and problems are facing you now? 
We do not have a problem right now, the only problem we have is that our asylum is not guaranteed yet and I do not have the privileges that a disabled person should have. The amount of help that the government gives us is not enough to continue living.

Do you think there is a lack of work for Afghan refugees and other refugees who come here? 
No. Those who are allowed to work and have physical facilities, they can easily find a job. However, for those who have disabilities, it is a little difficult for them.

All right. You mentioned that there were security problems in Afghanistan and because of those problems, you applied for asylum here. Naturally, the situation in Afghanistan has affected all Afghans and they have unpleasant memories from that time. How did you get out of those situations and problems and what made you have hope for the future?
…long pause…

What problems did you have in Afghanistan or during your trip?
I had no other serious problems except health problems. My only problem was my health. Because someone had to transfer me all the time and there were transportation problems. I had no serious problems.

No. I meant that when Afghanistan collapsed under the Taliban’s rule, it was a challenge for all Afghans and it was an unpleasant scene for them when their country was taken and they were forced to leave their homes, including you that you were forced to leave your home to become a refugee in another country. Leaving home is an unpleasant moment. In addition, have these problems affected you? How could you forget those moments when you traveled from province to province and the way you left Afghanistan? 
Those moments are unforgettable and we will never forget them. It was a bitter memory that happened in our life and we will never forget it, but we have to continue living.

If you can say this in one complete sentence.  Because I asked which moment, do you mean? 
The moments when terrorist groups captured our city and all the facilities we had were cut off and we were away from all our friends. Many of my friends were martyred during the change of government. 

Ahm…okay. We asked our questions, if you have anything to say at the end or want to add, say so. 
I do not have anything special to say, I just hope that our asylum process will be completed soon and we will get the benefits that we are entitled to.

Thank you.