Once in Their Shoes

In response to the war, Ali joined the “Mercy Movement”, which allowed civil activists like himself to work with local hospitals for the safety and education of the people around him during the war. He also provided mediating support to overcome some of the common challenges that came with the war, which included trying to build peaceful relationships between U.S. soldiers and Iraqi citizens and humanitarians like himself.

But when the Iraq War continued to spread through Iraq, he was forced to flee to neighboring Iran and Syria while seeking refugee status.  He also provided mediating support to overcome some of the common challenges that came with the war, which included trying to build peaceful relationships between U.S. soldiers and Iraqi citizens and humanitarians like himself.

But when the Iraq War continued to spread through Iraq, he was forced to flee to neighboring Iran and Syria while seeking refugee status.  He also provided mediating support to overcome some of the common challenges that came with the war, which included trying to build peaceful relationships between U.S. soldiers and Iraqi citizens and humanitarians like himself.

After 2 years of waiting for international and national approval, background checks, and health checks, Ali received his visa to resettle in the United States. Not only did Ali have to deal with the challenges he faced in the war, he had to deal with the refugee resettlement process that can be very lengthy. The resettlement process made Ali very appreciative the moment he stepped off the plane and arrived in Buffalo, NY, the place he and his family would start rebuilding their lives after so much sacrifice.

Ali quickly began to learn new systems and social dynamics of the U.S. – finding new work, securing housing, and helping his children succeed in a new school environment. For Ali and his wife, part of overcoming his struggles was obtaining a degree. Today Ali’s wife is finishing her final months of study to become a nurse practitioner. Ali completed his MSW at the University at Buffalo and began work at BestSelf Behavioral Health as a mental health counselor, where one of his many passions is to help refugees that are now in the situation that he once was—learning to live a new life in Buffalo.

Since beginning work with BestSelf in 2014, Ali has been assisting people that are in the same shoes that he once was, by finding housing, jobs and building a welcoming community. Ali also encourages Buffalo’s New Americans to persevere through their struggles and to celebrate their backgrounds. Ali stresses the importance of celebrating diversity and culture with one another through food, songs, and sports – specifically soccer. He founded Buffalo’s annual World Refugee Day, where refugees and families from Western New York come together and celebrate diversity. Ali’s favorite part of this day is “Bring a dish, and build a community”.