The Miracle Media editor in-chief (Mr. Naseer Pirzada) got a chance to interview with a Syrian Refugee family settled in Surrey.
Mr. Pirzada: Thanks Br. Shawkat Hassan to arranged this meeting with this Family of Mr. Mustafa Kchkara, Mrs. Rehab Makieh and their daughter Gevara Kchkara: Let’s start to hear!
Br, Mustafa would you like to brief story of your Syrian background?
Mr. Mustafa: I am now 41 years old head of my family, my professional back ground in Syrian was in education did MBA and also skills of Graphic Designer and as well as handyman too. I can do painting job comfortable.
Mr. Pirzada: Can you tell our readers about crisis in Syria?
Mr. Mustafa: Yes Br, actually we were in serious crisis, since war has been started in our country Syria it was a very difficult situation for everyone and specially for me, it was very hard because I lived in an area which has a large population of people who are against the regime which was the ruling our country, my city name is Latakia. We were living there and it was very hard for us because every time we want to go in and out and have to stop at checkpoint and we have to show our IDs and it was very hard life at that moment and so Government started recruiting to every youngster, he must join army and fight against other people. I don’t want to join Army in this situation because if you go in army, you will kill to others or someone will kill you. I thought well in both ways you are going to die so I decided to leave the city.
Mr. Pirzada: What other experiences you did in Syria?
Mr. Mustafa: Before I left Syria, I was working in LG electronics company, I worked there for around 5 years as a marketing in the company until I left Syria.
Mr. Pirzada: How you become a refuge from Syria to other
country?
Mr. Mustafa: As a refugee, first we migrated in Turkey, where around 3 Million peoples were settled as a refugee. It was very hard situation for every Syrian there, because you are a visitor but you don’t have the rights of the visitors. Majority of refugees lives in camp in a specific area, but who have money they can live in nearest city homes. I had a little savings money, so I got a small house at rent. With the time my saving money finished and the Turkish government provides only food and shelter with health and education facilities to each refugee who lives in camp not to those who live on their own in central city. The people who has money they can do the business in the big cities and do small odd jobs too.
Mr. Pirzada: How you came here and what procedures you did to get the refugee status in Canada?
Mr. Mustafa: I was in touch with internet and found the BC Muslims Association website for the sponsorship in 2016. I emailed them and got respond in 10 days. Then continued in touch with Mr. Hassan for documentations and it took time to proceed the refugee status.
Mr. Pirzada: Br Shawkat, can you say something about this sponsors status.
Mr. Shawkat Hassan: Director Social Service
Many thanks to our Muslim community in the lower mainland who supported BCMA call in December 2015 to sponsor Syrian refugees. BCMA submitted an application to become Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH). Fund raising dinner was organized and close to four hundred thousand Canadian dollars was donated or pledged. The application to become SAH was approved and BCMA sent application to sponsor 36 people in 2016, 11 people in 2017 and 20 people 2018. A total of 67 persons so far sponsored but only 6 people of the refugees arrived to BC.
The demand to sponsor refugees is so big to handle. Unfortunately, in addition to the regular Syrian or Iraqi refugees displaced in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey there are many who have been working for many years in the Arab Gulf states and Saudi Arabia are being dismissed from their work and cannot go back to their country. Most if not all are looking for BCMA as a Muslim Association to give them safe landing into Canada. The demand is very huge with strong pressure from inside and outside Canada to sponsor relatives or friends who are also refugees. BCMA is able to sponsor only the number of refugees given by the Canadian government through SAH secretariat.
Mr. Mustafa:When I received the email for my application selection I didn’t believe. After all the procedure completion Allhumdullila we arrived at Toronto Airport first then at Vancouver Airport, Mr. Hassan received us.
Mr. Pirzada: After arrival in BC, what was your and your family feelings, and how you are surviving?
Mr. Mustafa: We all were very delighted after a long-tensed war and terror life in Syria and then Turkey Camps. Here BCMA members welcomed us and arranged first temporary residence in Hotel in Vancouver then found a 2 Bed room suite in Surrey. As per Canadian Immigration policy for refugees, the private sponsors will be responsible at least one year for their shelter and foods.
Mr. Pirzada: What you are expected by the Miracle’s readers and by the Muslim and local community members.
Mr. Mustafa: I would like to request everyone through the Miracle Newspaper, that I have the skills of MBA, Graphic Designer and knows the Building paintings skills. Please help me through BCMA Br, Hassan.
Mr. Pirzada: Now let me ask to Mrs. Rehab Makieh, what her feelings and what she is
expecting by community generous people.
Yes Ms. Rehab our readers want to know about you and your 9 years old daughter.
Mrs. Rehab Makieh: Thanks to BCMA, who brought us in Canada as a Syrian Refugee.
I also have MBA degree and the skills of Tailoring and Baby care. My daughter Gevara Kchkara is going in Surrey school and she is very happy. I want to request with Miracle readers to help us as per our skills.
Mr. Pirzada: Thanks Br, Hassan and
Br, Mustafa and your family to shared your Journey from Syria to British Columbia.
Mr. Mustafa: Thanks Br. Pirzada for your time and giving us chance to spread our story among your readers and all community.
Saturday, April 18, 2026
