Sofyan Aswad: Sofyan Aswad: ”A five-year-old star shining in the sky”

In Syria we don't have any newspapers in hospitals. I thought someone had forgotten it. But I phoned Mohamad Kanina, who worked on the paper at that time, and he explained the three-language project to me.

My Swedish wasn't so good, I was still waiting for asylum,. How should I present myself in the best way? I ordered a folder designed for a CV on the net (I think it cost about 40 dollars) that I could fill in and add links and photos. I stuck a block and a pen on the folder and handed it in to Kristianstadsbladet. Shortly afterwards I was asked to come along and present myself.

When I read the paper at the hospital I thought that the Arabic translations could be improved. Later I understood that the texts are not interpreted into Arabic, they are exact translations. Nevertheless I thought I could make a difference if I could take part in developing the paper. I have useful experience from my time as a journalist in Syria.

In November 2017 I was given a three-month trial period. On the last day of my practice I was contacted by the inmmigration authorities, who told me I had been given a residence permit.

So then at last I could visit my mother and brothers in France. On 8th August I was able to start again at Kb Mosaik.

Now almost three years have passed. I've absolutely no regrets that I started at Kb Mosaik. I enjoy it, it's something really big for me, the best thing that has happened to me in Sweden.

It's difficult for me as a journalist to find a place of work which accepts me with the language level I'm at. It isn't just a matter of having someone employ me and say ”OK, we can work with him”. Instead there are many factors – friendly workmates, a good editor, pleasant working conditions. I'm truly very happy, I've been allowed to work as an ordinary employee.

When I got my residence permit there was no party. When I got my two-year contract on 8th August 2018 we had a proper celebration.

I knew I could develop here, if only I got the chance.

I'm not the only one to have been given the chance. Read about Qaali Ali Shire on page 6, Mohamad Kanina on page 12 and Mohammad Al Balout on page 21 of this jubilee issue.

For it is five years since the paper first appeared. Read more on page 10 about why Sparbanksstiftelsen and Kristianstadsbladet started the project.

Along with all these interesting reports you can also read, on page 14, more about some of the fantastic people we wrote about in our first issue.

It's an honour to be a journalist on Kb Mosaik. For me, the newspaper is like a five-year-old star shining in the sky. I'm very happy to continue the journey with Inga-Lill Bengtsson and our wonderful colleagues Moira Uggla and Shawana Badat.