Diyarbakir. Visiting a refugee Yazidi camp
Dungeons, unrest and non civilization These are the first associations that probably wakes mention of Diyarbakir. We place of exile for the Turks — turbulent city for Kurds — unofficial capital of Kurdistan. “You are just kidding. Flying to Diyarbakir?” Wonders employee of the airport, while looking at my passport incredulously. The news that someone fly there, quickly spread throughout the airport. The flight from Istanbul to Diyarbakir landed on time. Modern for Bulgarian standards, the Airbus for the natives is seen as just a coach. The machine taxied to the new international airport built last year. Well, in the city of dungeons already has two airports.
The new impresses with sleeves, electronics, marble, English garden, greenery. The city bus arrives on time and silently hitting a new four-lane road. Later I would learn that the drivers picked up for his shift right by the station. Line — working air conditioning and electronic tickets. Imperceptibly did compared to Varna and Sofia — a particularly bitter feeling that did not leave me until the end of my 10-day stay in Diyarbakir.
I ma visiting the region under the EU-funded project for youth exchange “Erasmus +”. (For later reference it showed me that as a destination for youth exchanges Turkey is 13th out of 34 countries, and Bulgaria — on the 29th.). The four Bulgarians are sned buy “Children of the Balkans” as a part of a larger group, including representatives from Germany, Italy, Spain, Romania, Serbia, Turkey. The goal — youth exchanges and work with children in a refugee camp Yazidis.
Refugees — Two charged with emotion word. Their camp is located 30 minutes from Diyarbakir, located on the picnic area and sports. infrastructure is landscaped playgrounds, outdoor fitness
The tents have air conditioning, running water. Enterprising settlers have opened on the spot some grocery stores and barber shop in the camp — the trading and so social contact. Yazidis are part of the Kurdish ethnic group, they have not accepted Islam. Because of their old religion are persecution by both Muslims and Christians. Their faith is more pagan, pray the sun has to do with the ancient Iranian Zoroastrianism. No written sacred text. “Prevalent opinion is that if we text, we will create a dogma that next year will be outdated.” This explains German citizens Yazidi ancestry who first visited Turkey, and that within the EU projects. Young people are second-generation immigrants. In Germany, their ethnicity has two colonies. Live soon closed. The rules are strict — if you a youngster decides to marry someone of “alien” community, the family will outcast him immediately.
“In Iraq, we lived well. We got on with their neighbors Muslims. We helped them, even financially,” said human rights activist from the camp. With the rise of “Islamic state” things abruptly changed. Their neighbors turned against them. Looting, violence, rape. The reasons are not only religious, but financial and commercial.
It is mid october and thermometer shows 35 degrees. “We have no accurate information on how many people are in tents. The camp is a distribution station. People come and leave,” said the manager, while sitting under a three shadow. Until recently, in the evening a couple of bus rides to Yazidis have to Istanbul. Hence — to Europe. “We are heading to Germany,” explained candidly. The have heard about Bulgaria only as a part of the Balkan route to Europe. They have two ways to transfer. The first is illegal, in small groups. The cost is about $ 8,000 per person. The second is through legalization. The family sent a representative illegally in Germany, where legitimize and start working. After about a year gained status that allowed him to take and relatives
In the family between 6 and 10 children. “I want to become an ophthalmologist. I want to become a teacher,” shared dreams for the future in Europe teenagers from the camp. Most show good manners, upbringing, manners and excellent English.
Some of them run by “Islamic state.” But most seem to use the case and seek better futurities in welcoming Europe.
And why do not stay in the capital of Kurdistan, to his own people? I can think of new districts of Diyarbakir and seething works, fancy offices. For school buses, playgrounds between the blocks Public Works. Whether the reason is only religious, or there is something unsaid ? The answer they want Yazidi remain in Diyarbakir and wants you Diyarbakir Yazidis remains pending.
“Come, brother, let me explain.” Bingo! The owner of the establishment where we stay, speak Bulgarian. The home is a Kurd, moved to Sofia decade ago, there are restaurants in both cities. Immediately draws Bulgarian group with one soft drink.
He wants to cheers the bulgarian group with rakia. But the restaurant is full and time is not right. “Did you see the new residential neighborhoods, brand new cars, the trade? If we take settlers there, will have to share the standard with them”, tells us. The colonists did prefer not to have in an area with Muslims, even though by their ethnicity. “Before the 50–60 years were 15 million Kurds. We’re over 40. People are looking for new territory,” said our host. He is for a derived from the standard regional family with 10 brothers. I checked the statistics on the Internet. The data are similar not only for Kurds but also Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq — countries where comes the shock wave immigrants in Europe.
If they stay at home, living standards to others will fall.
The rich pay them for “ticket”. Wealthy neighbors like Saudi Arabia do not accept settlers. Injecting low educated Muslims in Europe, Arabs ensure their political influence on the continent. Later I would learn that even in Germany, Yazidis are subject to attacks by some Muslims. So-called new migrants attacked them and Christian families too. A questionable actions, coming from people stating, at least officially, that are looking for help, shelter and work.
Or more like conquering behavior ?
P.S. During my stay in the refugee camp and in Diyarbakir, I collected opinions and stories from more than 20 different people with different status — random locals, refugees, officials, human right activists, teachers, ngo representatives.
