No one willingly leaves their home and city to seek refuge elsewhere – unless they are forced to do so by circumstances outside of their control. This was the situation for Basil Shawqi Al-Hasaniyeh, who left his hometown of As-Suwayda, which lies 100 kilometers south of Damascus, and opted for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq over Europe. This decision was driven not only by the lower cost of living in the region, but also by the facilities provided by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to asylum seekers.
After settling in Erbil with his family, Basil, a 28-year old who adheres to the Druze faith, decided to get married in the city that had become “closest to his heart.” He and his bride, Rama Fatin Shaqir, a 27-year-old also from the Druze community, celebrated their marriage in front of the historic Erbil Citadel. “I chose to get married in Erbil because it is a safe place to settle down and an ideal environment to build a family,” said Basil with a smile.
Choosing Erbil over Europe
In an interview with the Arabic-language version of Kurdistan Chronicle, Basil shared that his family and relatives have been living in Erbil for nearly a decade. “Ever since, I haven’t moved... My heart is attached to Erbil as if it were my motherland,” he said.
Basil emphasized that he chose Kurdistan over Europe because the region has “an Eastern touch that is not found in Europe, and its people are conservative and adhere to their customs and traditions, which I see as close to our own.”
“Erbil, without exaggeration, is so beautiful because of its people and government. If I wasn’t happy here, I would have left,” Basil added. “My love for Erbil grew even more when I met my beloved Rama.”
Basil’s father, Shawqi Al-Hasaniyeh, also expressed his gratitude: “Kurdistan has embraced us for years. We have not felt any religious or ethnic discrimination and move freely without any hindrance.”
On July 10, 2024, during a ceremony to announce new regulations for asylum seekers in the Kurdistan Region, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani highlighted the region’s longstanding hospitality. “The region has embraced thousands of people seeking safety without any religious, national, or ethnic discrimination,” Prime Minister Barzani said. Despite facing challenges like the ISIS attacks and financial crises, the KRG continues to support numerous refugee camps and uphold its commitments.
Basil’s wife Rama was a teacher in Syria with a diploma in electronics. About three years ago, she and her family sought refuge in Erbil because “the situation had deteriorated in every aspect in Syria, and my father chose Erbil because it is the best place in the Middle East.”
A cultural and historical connection
As-Suwayda is an open-air museum of historical landmarks, some dating back to the Stone Age. The area is home to Roman, Nabataean, Byzantine, and Greek monuments scattered across its villages and cities, including Shahba and Salkhad.
Basil, who studied tourism and hospitality in Syria, chose to hold his wedding in Erbil because of the cultural connection between the two cities. “Erbil’s architectural heritage is different from As-Suwayda’s, but both cities share a similar layout with their castles, despite the differences in design,” Basil explained. He sees a clear connection between the heritage of his homeland and that of the country that welcomed him.
Druze marriage traditions
The Druze community is tightly knit and insular, with strict customs regarding marriage. It is rare to find a Druze married outside the sect, and polygamy is forbidden. Druze religious leaders, known as uqqal uphold this rule to maintain gender equality.
Rama recounted how she met Basil: “Our fathers met by chance, and my father invited his family to visit us. During their visit, I met Basil, and we began talking on Facebook Messenger for a short time. Shortly after, he proposed, and I accepted.”
Rama explained that, traditionally, a group of uqqal writes the marriage contract, but due to their distance from Syria and the absence of uqqal in Kurdistan, their marriage was solemnized online. “Our marriage was conducted through proxies for both the bride and groom, along with witnesses from both sides,” she said. The official contract is certified by the state, according to Rama.
After the contract is completed, Druze women don their traditional dress, a colorful garment covering the entire body. They accessorize with a piece of fabric tied around the waist called the mamluk and a fez adorned with a silver disc and gold pieces, covered by a thin white cloth, revealing only the face and hands.
Kurdistan: A safe haven
Rama expressed her gratitude to the KRG for its support of Syrian refugees, emphasizing that “Kurdistan is a safe haven for those in need, better than any other country in the region by far.” However, she also highlighted the challenges that refugees face, particularly with residence permits and the high cost of renewal.
Rama agrees with Basil that they will not leave Kurdistan for another country. “It is better here than any place we could have gone to,” she said.
The story of Syrian refugees in the Kurdistan Region is different from their experiences in neighboring countries. The couple likened it to seeking refuge with a brother, where they find themselves enjoying full rights without feeling any discrimination. As the couple noted, those who abide by the law will find a decent living and a respectable job, and enjoy freedom of movement. Refugees find shelter, whether in camps or within the cities and towns of the Kurdistan Region, and often find not just a temporary refuge, but also a place they can call home.
The Kurdistan Region remains a safe haven for many Syrians of various ethnicities and religious groups, who can open their own businesses and enjoy full rights to work, live, and receive an education, much like any other citizen.
Riyadh Al-Hamadany is An Iraqi journalist who has worked with numerous local and international media outlets.
