I DON'T FEEL IN FOREIGN LAND HERE
Raghib Majid Ibrahim is 53, a lorry driver from Al-Qamishli, Syria. He arrived in Bulgaria at the beginning of 2015 because of the ISIS, and is applying for asylum. He lives in the Ovcha Kupel Sofia camp of the State Agency for Refugees.
Have you experienced special treatment because you are a foreigner?
We arrived at the border, the police stopped us and searched us, to see that we are not terrorists, that we are peaceful citizens. Then – it was wintertime, and it was cold – they sheltered us, they put the heating on, they fed us and gave us water. Very good treatment. We are happy with the treatment we received.
Can you single out a typical Bulgarian character trait?
I cannot say because I have lived only in Bulgaria and Syria, I haven't been to the West. In comparison to Syria, the treatment is very good – there the police can arrest you without explanation. Here it is not like that.
Has Bulgaria surprised you?
We arrived in winter and our clothes were not very warm. But the police turned the heating on, so we didn't have problems. Everywhere there are good people and bad people.
Do you have any Bulgarian friends?
A child I know spent some time at the hospital, and during the visits I spoke with a Bulgarian woman whose own son was in the hospital, too.
Do you know any Bulgarian holidays?
I know Baba Marta. I bought a Martenitsa, took a picture of myself. I heard that if I saw a stork, I should take the Martenitsa off and tie it to a tree, so I did that.
Can you describe Bulgaria in three words?
In Bulgaria I haven't experienced anything bad from anyone.
Do you plan to stay in Bulgaria?
No, I will continue to Germany. Bulgaria is poor and cannot secure us a home and proper payment. If we put that aside, it is a nice country, I feel at home, I don't feel in a foreign land here.
