A Pakistani-American philanthropist, Dr. Maqsood Chaudhry, opened the doors of his house for Syrian refugees last week, providing them an opportunity to share their hopes and aspirations with interfaith leaders of metro area.
The Syrian men, women, and their children, who attended the event, are among those being settled in Maryland and Virginia as part of the Obama Administration’s program to admit 10,000 refugees from the conflict-shattered Arab country. Last month, around 2400 Syrian refugees arrived in the United States. Around five million Syrians have left their homes in the face of one of the worst conflicts of the times.
Abu Ab Alaa, in many ways, symbolized the suffering of Syrians as well as their hopes for future, when he told the heartbreaking loss of his 12-year-old son, when Bashar al-Assad’s forces killed him as the family tried to cross the border. Then, his younger son sang a song about Homs, their hometown, and with his gleaming eyes sparking hopes of a much better life in the United States.
The refugees expressed their gratitude for America’s acceptance of the refugees and giving them an opportunity to rebuild their lives.
Still, the Syrian refugees and Syrian-American leaders, reeling from the nightmarish specters of five-year-old conflagration, had one message for the United States – “Please end the Syrian conflict, and the U.S. can do it very quickly,” as expressed by a participant.
Participants at welcome for Syrian Refugees
Photo: Views and News
Welcoming the refugee families along with his wife, Dr. Chaudhry, said “As Americans we feel it is our responsibility to do everything we can to help the refugees who are in the United States.”
He offered to treat any Syrian refuges at his Grove Dental Clinic in Falls Church and also train those willing to learn dental assistance work.
“I along with my colleagues in the medical profession have our doors open for Syrian refugees, whenever they need healthcare,” said Dr. Chaudhry, also a prominent interfaith leader in metro area.
Political leaders including Delegates Kathleeen Murphy, and Eileeen Filler-Corn, and Ann Fann, representing Senator Mark Warner, expressed America’s commitment to tolerance, integration and acceptance of refugees in the society.
Participants at welcome for Syrian refugees
Photo: Views and News
Rev. Deacon Mary Beth Emerson, Saint Thomas Episcopal Church, Rabbi Jeffrey Saxe Temple Rodef Shalom, Mohsin Alikhan, Mclean Islamic Center, Dr Sultan Chaudhry and Dr. Hashim Naji of Syrian Medical Society also expressed their views on behalf of multicultural communities living in the region.
“American will be a beautiful place if we break bread together, and share sisterhood and brotherhood,” Rev. Mary Emerson said.
Rabbi Jeffrey Saxe also extended a welcome to the refugees, saying the Jewish community shares and understands their ordeals in the face of the war in the Middle Eastern country.
On behalf of Syrian-Americans, Dr. Naji thanked the hosts and appealed to leaders of diverse communities in Washington, Virginia and Maryland to support rehabilitation of the refugees.
