“My dad is my biggest hero. My family is from Iraq and he was studying engineering in Baghdad when the war broke out. He came to Qatar alone and he finished his studies. When I was 3, our family moved to Virginia so my brother and I could have the best education and learn English. I was 10 when we left the USA and we lived in Oman for a few years. Eventually we came back to Qatar and we settled here. My father worked hard his entire life to provide for our family. Ever since we moved to Qatar my Arabic has really improved since we live here. I also feel a much stronger connection to my religion. I love hearing the call to prayer. Recently I started to wear the Hijab and feels good. Last Ramadan was an amazing experience because many of my family members live here now so I got to spend it with them. I have never been to Iraq but I still have family there. Sometimes I really worry about them because it is not always safe there. We Skype as much as we can. It is my biggest wish for our entire family to reunite.”
(Doha, Qatar)

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