Podcast
Questions and Answers
Ahmed worries about being perceived as a potential threat by European police primarily because of:
Ahmed worries about being perceived as a potential threat by European police primarily because of:
- his age and the prejudiced assumptions associated with it. (correct)
- his inability to speak European languages fluently.
- traveling with a family that might attract suspicion.
- lacking proper identification documents and travel permits.
Ahmed's envisioned life in England with his father most prominently features:
Ahmed's envisioned life in England with his father most prominently features:
- becoming fluent in English and integrating into British society.
- finding employment and sending financial support back to relatives.
- seeking political asylum and advocating for refugee rights.
- pursuing educational opportunities and enjoying leisure activities. (correct)
Ahmed learns about 'the Jungle' in Calais and its significance for refugees primarily through:
Ahmed learns about 'the Jungle' in Calais and its significance for refugees primarily through:
- news reports broadcasted on European television networks.
- official announcements from refugee aid organizations.
- personal experiences shared by his traveling family.
- information exchanged among refugees at Parc Maximilien. (correct)
Ahmed's dilemma of choosing between Calais and Belgium is fundamentally a decision between:
Ahmed's dilemma of choosing between Calais and Belgium is fundamentally a decision between:
The 'Seamaster' watch symbolizes for Ahmed primarily:
The 'Seamaster' watch symbolizes for Ahmed primarily:
Ahmed's act of 'tickling Bana' to distract himself reveals his:
Ahmed's act of 'tickling Bana' to distract himself reveals his:
The 'less than forty-eight hours' deadline emphasizes:
The 'less than forty-eight hours' deadline emphasizes:
The contrast between Ahmed's imagined life in England and his current situation primarily highlights the theme of:
The contrast between Ahmed's imagined life in England and his current situation primarily highlights the theme of:
The presence of 'smugglers' around Parc Maximilien suggests:
The presence of 'smugglers' around Parc Maximilien suggests:
Parc Maximilien in Belgium is best characterized in this context as:
Parc Maximilien in Belgium is best characterized in this context as:
Why did Ahmed find it easier to listen to Ibrahim Malaki without looking at him?
Why did Ahmed find it easier to listen to Ibrahim Malaki without looking at him?
What motivated Ibrahim to seek refuge in Belgium?
What motivated Ibrahim to seek refuge in Belgium?
Why was the refugee camp at Parc Maximilien being closed down?
Why was the refugee camp at Parc Maximilien being closed down?
What was Zainab's suggestion for Ahmed's living situation while Ibrahim appealed his refugee status rejection?
What was Zainab's suggestion for Ahmed's living situation while Ibrahim appealed his refugee status rejection?
What aspect of being placed in state custody particularly terrified Ahmed?
What aspect of being placed in state custody particularly terrified Ahmed?
What prior experience did Ahmed have that made him somewhat knowledgeable about navigating the refugee system?
What prior experience did Ahmed have that made him somewhat knowledgeable about navigating the refugee system?
What does the phrase 'friendship had been forged in less than a minute' suggest about the relationship between Ibrahim and Ahmed's father?
What does the phrase 'friendship had been forged in less than a minute' suggest about the relationship between Ibrahim and Ahmed's father?
How does Ahmed's evolving perception of Ibrahim, from 'the Iraqi' to 'his father's friend', reflect Ahmed's emotional state?
How does Ahmed's evolving perception of Ibrahim, from 'the Iraqi' to 'his father's friend', reflect Ahmed's emotional state?
What does the description of the refugee camp's appearance ('wooden crates...laundry drying on ropes...first-aid tent') suggest about the refugees' living conditions?
What does the description of the refugee camp's appearance ('wooden crates...laundry drying on ropes...first-aid tent') suggest about the refugees' living conditions?
What can be inferred from the fact that refugees had to wait 'days, even weeks' to register at the Office of Foreigners?
What can be inferred from the fact that refugees had to wait 'days, even weeks' to register at the Office of Foreigners?
Why was Ahmed hesitant to go to a reception center for unaccompanied minors?
Why was Ahmed hesitant to go to a reception center for unaccompanied minors?
What was the primary motivation for some refugees to send their children ahead to other countries?
What was the primary motivation for some refugees to send their children ahead to other countries?
Why was Ahmed concerned about registering as an unaccompanied minor in Belgium?
Why was Ahmed concerned about registering as an unaccompanied minor in Belgium?
What specific fear did Ahmed harbor regarding his Syrian identity?
What specific fear did Ahmed harbor regarding his Syrian identity?
What does the phrase "like a pebble in a shoe" suggest about Ahmed’s perception of Belgium?
What does the phrase "like a pebble in a shoe" suggest about Ahmed’s perception of Belgium?
How did Ibrahim and his family intend to support Ahmed after he entered the reception center?
How did Ibrahim and his family intend to support Ahmed after he entered the reception center?
What can be inferred about the 'terrible day' when Ahmed's real passport was destroyed?
What can be inferred about the 'terrible day' when Ahmed's real passport was destroyed?
What does Ahmed's concern that he 'would end up in state custody until he came of age' imply about the typical process for unaccompanied minors?
What does Ahmed's concern that he 'would end up in state custody until he came of age' imply about the typical process for unaccompanied minors?
Why did Ahmed initially go to Belgium?
Why did Ahmed initially go to Belgium?
What is implied by Ibrahim saying, 'You will have a better outcome without us. You are Syrian, not Iraqi. They are taking Syrians'?
What is implied by Ibrahim saying, 'You will have a better outcome without us. You are Syrian, not Iraqi. They are taking Syrians'?
Flashcards
Reception Center (Unaccompanied Minors)
Reception Center (Unaccompanied Minors)
A center for refugee children without parents or guardians.
Asylum Rules
Asylum Rules
Rules that determine which country is responsible for examining an asylum application.
Asylum
Asylum
The act of seeking protection in a foreign country due to fear of persecution in one's home country.
Asylum Status
Asylum Status
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Ahmed's Fear (in Belgium)
Ahmed's Fear (in Belgium)
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Forged Passport
Forged Passport
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Parc Maximilien
Parc Maximilien
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Registered
Registered
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Unaccompanied Minors
Unaccompanied Minors
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Ahmed's Reception Center Concerns
Ahmed's Reception Center Concerns
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Forged Friendship
Forged Friendship
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Office of Foreigners
Office of Foreigners
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Refugee Status Refusal
Refugee Status Refusal
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Refugee Camp
Refugee Camp
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State Custody
State Custody
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Smugglers
Smugglers
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Red Cross
Red Cross
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Brussels
Brussels
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Appeal a Decision
Appeal a Decision
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European Fear (Refugees)
European Fear (Refugees)
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Ahmed's England Dream
Ahmed's England Dream
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Calais
Calais
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The Jungle (Calais)
The Jungle (Calais)
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Smugglers (Parc Maximilien)
Smugglers (Parc Maximilien)
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Ahmed's Life Choice
Ahmed's Life Choice
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Seamaster Watch
Seamaster Watch
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Traveling with Iraqi Family
Traveling with Iraqi Family
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The Camp
The Camp
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Train and Car Tunnel
Train and Car Tunnel
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Study Notes
- Ahmed listens to Ibrahim Malaki, concealing his feelings about bad news.
- Ahmed no longer views Ibrahim as just Iraqi, but as his father's friend, after they made a vow to care for each other's families.
- The Belgian Office of Foreigners denied Ibrahim and his family refugee status, planning to return them to Iraq after a month of living in a tent in Parc Maximilien Brussels.
- Refugees have to wait days or weeks to register at the Office of Foreigners to become eligible for housing forcing them to sleep in the Red Cross camp.
- Volunteers help at the Red Cross camp by running it and providing clothes, blankets, meals, diapers, and a small school.
- A looming camp closure due to the end of summer, and the contrast between the camp and the surrounding office buildings unsettles Ahmed.
- Ibrahim's wife, Zainab, states that the family hopes to stay with relatives in Molenbeek while Ibrahim appeals the decision.
- The authorities want to put unmarried minors into state custody while their cases are being processed.
- Ahmed fears being alone after the Greek coast guard rescued them and brought them to Lesbos.
- Thousands of child refugees are traveling alone in Europe.
- Ahmed met some of them and learned about smugglers and safe routes.
- Some children are orphans, others were sent ahead of their families or became separated on the way.
- Ahmed assumed he could stay with Ibrahim in Belgium until finishing high school.
- Ibrahim said Ahmed would have a better outcome without them stating that Syrian refugees are being accepted over Iraqi refugees.
- Ahmed barely knows anything about Beligum.
- Ahmed's father planned to go to England or Canada for better language opportunities, but Ahmed went to Belgium because Ibrahim went there.
- Unaccompanied minors have a roof over their heads at a reception center.
- Ahmed winces because he stayed in reception centers in Greece and Hungary, he recalls overcrowded conditions, expired food, and impatient guards.
- Ahmed wants to avoid the fights, nightmares, overwhelmed adults, strange food, medical exams, and language classes of the centers, and the months it would take for them to figure out what to do with him.
- Ahmed questions the chances of finding another family despite Belgian kindness at Parc Maximilien, worrying he would be in state custody until adulthood.
- Ibrahim will take Ahmed to register at the office of unaccompanied minors and get him registered.
- Zainab reassures Ahmed they will stay in touch and help.
- Ahmed knows that registering in Belgium makes him ineligible for asylum in England or elsewhere and he would be trapped in Belgium forever.
- He fears the authorities won't believe he's Syrian because his passport is forged, the real ones having been destroyed in Syria.
- People think Ahmed is older than he is at 14 years old.
- Ahmed is scared that police might see him as a terrorist.
- Ahmed reflects on a life in England with Baba, which would include school, playing football, eating fish and chips, and watching David De Gea play for Manchester United.
- Ahmed knows the best way to go to England is through Calais, where a camp called the Jungle exists, and smugglers arrange rides to France from around Parc Maximilien.
- Ahmed has 48 hours to decide between going to Calais or staying in Belgium.
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Description
Explore Ahmed's fears of racial profiling by European police and his dreams of living in England with his father. Learn about his experiences with 'the Jungle' in Calais and the difficult choices he faces between Calais and Belgium. Discover the symbolism of the 'Seamaster' watch and Ahmed's coping mechanisms amidst uncertainty.
