ROME (AP) — Hasan Zaheda and his family, refugees from Syria, are rebuilding their lives in a basement-level apartment on the outskirts of Rome. They fled Damascus during the civil war with minimal belongings and were brought to Italy by Pope Francis almost a decade ago along with two other Muslim families from refugee camps in Lesbos.
As the Zahedas observe Ramadan, Pope Francis, who is currently battling pneumonia in a nearby hospital, remains in their prayers. The family admires the Pope's humility and openness towards different ethnicities and religions.
Having left Syria in 2015 due to being drafted into the military, the Zahedas endured a perilous journey through the desert and multiple failed attempts to reach the Greek islands before finally arriving in Lesbos. They were later selected by a Catholic charity to be brought to Rome with Vatican funds, along with other refugees, to start a new life.
Integration has been a significant challenge for the Zahedas and other refugees, involving processing asylum cases, learning Italian, and finding employment. Initiatives like the Pope's call for communities to welcome refugees despite religious differences have been crucial in fostering acceptance.
The Zaheda family, now settled in Italy, faces daily struggles such as reenrolling in university, assisting family members to come to Europe, and ensuring a bright future for their son, Riad. Riad, who enjoys playing basketball and plans to study Spanish, represents hope for his parents in building a new life in Italy.
Despite the difficulties, the Zahedas remain determined to create a better future for their son in a country that has welcomed them with open arms.
