Mahamad, Glasgow

Mahamad Al Shagra came to the UK in July 2002. Originally from Baghad, Iraq, he and his wife lived in Saudi Arabia for eight years while Mahamad broadcast on an underground radio station 'Iraqi People's Voice', opposing Saddam's regime in Iraq. In 2002, when threatened with extradition to Iraq by Saudi authorities, he, his wife and two of their sons flew to London. After two months they were dispersed to Glasgow, since which time they have been appealing against the Home Office¹s decision to refuse them asylum. Since the Saddam regime is no longer in control, the authorities deem Baghdad a safe area for Mahamad's family to return to. Mahamad fears for the safety of his family should they return, given the continued instability in Iraq.

Mahamad would dearly love to continue working as a journalist, but since all asylum seekers are forbidden from practising their profession 'paid or unpaid', he spends his time working voluntarily with the Refugee Council and running a refugee community support group.

'It is hard to have the choice taken away from you, even if the place you are forced to live in were a paradise.'