Three Syrian brothers in Vore, Mohammed: Now I know I have two homelands, even Albania

Thousands of refugees seek a chance every day for a better life in Europe. But there are also those who find luck in Albania, like the case of a Syrian family.

By Deutsche Welle

Albania is not necessarily listed in the dream countries for refugees coming from war zones like Syria or Iraq. True, several hundred refugees have arrived at the border points this year, but asylum in Albania has required only 164 of them, according to the Directorate for Asia's data at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Alma Mele: Respect for refugee customs and culture from other countries

A figure that is not hard to deal with even from a country that has many of its problems as Albania. She proudly relates the director of the Directorate for Asylum, Alma Mele, that Albania, although a small country has shown great hearts to those in need of protection. They come from different cultures and religions, so we show a lot of attention to their customs, their culture, from the moment of accession, but even at the time of waiting.” Alma Mele says that even some of them have written in social media about the positive experience in Albania that they had not expected. Perhaps there are some who have fled quickly in the direction of the European north, though they have sought asylum in Albania.

Damascus-Liban-Tirana

But fate has its own routes, and sometimes it seems that it does not follow that road leads to the rich north. Mohammed Matwa had never thought it would come one day to live in Albania. The 29-year-old Syrian from the outskirts of Damascus dreamed of becoming a psychologist, but the war broke out, he had to stop studying to start refugee life. First Lebanon station. The agenda of a refugee's life would have continued further if in a foreign country for Mohamedin, a brother who had decided to do business there had not lived in Albania before years. Husam Matwa lives in Tirana, speaks Albanian fluently, has also received the Albanian passport.

The Syrian family works in the open restaurant of the older brother, Husam Matwa

With the help of my older brother, Mohammed came to Albania, where he has lived for about two years. My life has changed direction, not the way I imagined it, but now I am satisfied with”, says Mohamedi, who already works at my brother's newly opened restaurant in Vora, near Tirana.

Mohammad once thought of continuing on to Germany, another brother who had come as a refugee. But when I heard about the difficulties the refugees there had, I thought it was better to stay here”, he says. Challenge in Albania presents only Albanian, a difficult language, he says, but not people. “Albanians are friendly, willing to help, both in Syria and the weather, and the weather is much the same. ”

Mohammed Matwa in photo calls Albania second country

Mohamedi doesn't know if Albania is his last station yet, but in the thing it's safe. On his way north to Europe, he will no longer enter. I'm going to live here for now, but when the war is over in Syria, I'm going back there. But I already know that I have two homelands, besides Syria, I have another country, Albania. ”

Not only Mohamedi came to Albania. Even the middle brother, Ali Matwa, 33, now lives in Vora, and works as an electrician in his brother's restaurant. Two years ago he lived in Istanbul, a life he wouldn't want to repeat. “Even in Albania can live well”, he smiles, adding that he would tell Syrian refugees in Germany to come visit this country.

Husam Matwa in the photo: Albania is rich in humanity

Albania may be poor, but rich in humanity

The Matwa brothers seem satisfied. Does religion in this rapid environment play a role for the Muslim family? Ali Matwa finds parallels with Syria in this regard. This is where Muslims and Christians live well with each other, just like we used to. Now this is no longer the case with us, but here you do not see crookedly being a Muslim or a Christian. ”

Ali Matwa in photo says Albania can live well