Asylum seeker recalls ‘hellish life’ as Ahmadiyya Muslim in Pakistan
AN ASYLUM seeker from Pakistan has described how he faces persecution in the south Asian country because of his faith, writes Tara O’Connor.
The 32-year-old, who declined to be named, came to England from Pakistan with his pregnant wife, 28, in search of a better life.
As an Ahmadiyya Muslim, he is part of a religious minority that faces persecution in Pakistan.
He said: “Life was hell, we were afraid that anything could happen, even getting education there is very difficult.
“We are the main target, we are not allowed to call ourselves Muslim, they can kill you because of their interpretation of the religious teachings.”
He arrived in London in October on a student visa and claimed asylum on arrival at the airport.
“At least I am not afraid to die” he said; he’s been living in a Croydon hotel with no clue how long he will be there.
But now he has made it England, he is hopeful for a safer future for his unborn child.
He said: “I know it would be a really, really difficult part of my life, we are looking forward to a good part. At least I am not afraid to die.
“I’m hoping that my kid won’t have that fear I had when I was going to school and college, I was always afraid.”
Residents of the hotel are given a room, which can be shared with strangers, and three meals a day.
For the year ending March 2021, there were 12,968 decisions made on asylum applications of which 48 per cent were granted.
The 32-year-old said: “One of the things [about the process] is there is no proper communication from Home Office to the accommodation provider at all.
“No one knows what is happening with their claim. I’ve never been told how long I will be here. They said they can’t give us any timeline.”
Back home he was a finance manager and his wife worked as a teacher, but she was pushed out of the job due to her religious beliefs.
Another concern among the residents is coronavirus.
He added: “My wife is pregnant and for food and everything we have to go out of our room.
“I know there were two cases of Covid who were moved, so I worry about my wife being pregnant, we try not to go outside the room.
“It is really hard to survive in this environment, but I am focusing on my kid.”
He wants to stay in London to be close to the Baitul Futuh Ahmadiyya Mosque in Morden.
“This is a place I know I will be accepted,” he added.
If the couple’s asylum claim is successful, he has hopes of pursuing a PhD in finance.
The Home Office were contacted for comment. (Local Democracy Reporting Service)