Refugee family welcomed by Utah community

Courtesy photo/CCS

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The Ali Hassan family passes crowds of people welcoming them as they arrive at Salt Lake International Airport.

SALT LAKE CITY — Having escaped from Afghanistan years earlier, Ali Hassan and his family fled to Pakistan and lived in a refugee camp while waiting for refugee status. Their eventual resettlement was threatened by the United States’ recent changes in refugee resettlement admission policies. It was only through a federal judge’s partial stay of the 120-day temporary ban on refugees that Ali Hassan, his wife, two sons and three daughters were finally able to enter the United States in 2017.

As people crowded into Salt Lake International Airport to show their support, many brought flowers and balloons to welcome the Ali Hassan family. Some held signs and banners saying, “We love refugees. No Ban, No Wall,” and “No hate, No fear, Welcome refugees.”

The family was touched by the show of support as they made their way through the crowd.

“This is the first time in our lives we have been welcomed,” Ali Hassan said. “You are so kind and nice.”

While the family felt fortunate to have successfully made it to the U.S., Ali Hassan’s mother was not so lucky. She was temporarily prevented from travel to the U.S. The family feared she would be sent back to Islamabad, but a few days later she was allowed to enter the country and was reunited with her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

When asked what he wanted Americans to know about his religion, Ali Hassan said, “Islam is the religion of peace. Islam is the religion of love.”

Catholic Community Services is proud to assist families like the Ali Hassans, and to provide help finding housing, employment and other services to make them feel welcome as they start a new life here in Utah.

Editor’s note: As part of Pope Francis’ Migration Campaign, this is one in a series of profiles of refugees and migrants who are helped through Catholic Community Services of Utah.

Courtesy of CCS