Proud new citizens in the Saeed family

Ahmed Saeed is very proud that he and the three of his children who live at home have been informed by Migrationsverket (the Swedish Migration Board) that they have been given Swedish citizenship.

He regards his Swedish passport as a great opportunity to start a good, happy life. So when the family was invited to celebrate its Swedish citizenship in the Town Hall on 6th June, the country’s national day, they gladly accepted.

Ahmed says he and his family have a lot to be glad for in Sweden. For instance security, kind people, good neighbours, and schools and health care for everyone.

Thania Hayawi is still waiting for a decison on her citizenship. So the family must put their plans for a holiday abroad on hold.

– I’m very hapy for them. Being Swedish citizens means a lot to us, says Thania Hayawi.

– It’s taken time to get it. The process grinds slowly, and I’ll have to be patient.

Thania came to Sweden, to Kristianstad, on 10th May 2012. She applied for the to be family reunited, and waited for eight months before the rest of the family came.

Thania worked in a firm that sold accessories for both women and men.

– I enjoyed the work. It was my first experience here in Sweden, says Thania.

The firm went bankrupt. Thania set up on her own.

– Now I work in my kiosk. It’s tough going back and forth to Önnestad every day, but you’ve got to struggle on, says Thania.

In his home country Ahmed worked mostly as an assistant engineer in raw oil.

He says:

– Despite a good, well-paid job in Iraq I didn’t feel comfortable. I’m an Iraqi, but I don’t feel that I belong there. Our country is always unstable because of war. I was always afraid of the future and for my childen’s safety.

Now he works as a janitor at Rönnowskola in Åhus, and thinks his Swedish will get better and better while he works.

– Citizenship means a greater solidarity with Sweden, and it helps me to integrate with the Swedish people, says Ahmed Saeed.

– I feel that I have freedom of choice in my new country. Religion and background cannot stand in the way for what I want, says Ahmed.

What does Swedish citizenship mean for you?

– It gives me more freedom now that I’m a Swedish citizen. It is primarily confirmation that I am part of the country.