Rima, a pharmacist, and Osama, an orthodontist had established professional practices. Each had foregone international employment offers and stayed in their city of Al-Suqaylabiyah, north-west of Damascus. They remained four years after war broke out in 2011; until it became too dangerous to stay.
They sought refuge in European countries, without success. Then in 2016, they learnt of Australia’s program for Syrian refugees and were accepted. Coming from the ancient culture of Syria they knew little about Australia.
…we heard lots of ‘it’s a new country, they haven't that tradition or history’. But after we are here…we feel it's an ancient country, because we touched the spirit of Australian people.
Welcomed by their local community, Rima and Osama have found great support through their new church. They find schooling here is quite different, with better facilities and less homework. Their two boys now feel safe.
Their greatest challenge is to attain professional accreditation. The difficulty is not in demonstrating their knowledge, but in learning and understanding Australian laws and professional practise. Osama would like to undertake an internship that would introduce him to patient care in his profession in Australia.
They remain fearful for friends still in Syria and concerned for the future of their homeland. They asked that we display images showing the beauty of Syria to challenge the limited view presented in the daily news.
The new church, 2017Al Suqaylabiyah, Syria
photographer Humam Arraj
People continue to gather at the new church in the centre of Al Suqaylabiyah city, regardless of the rockets bombarding the church throughout the holiday period.
REPRODUCED COURTESY OF RIMA AND OSAMA
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