The Whole Town's Car Washer
All of Lillehammer stood up for Nasih Raof Ahmed when he was in danger of being sent out of Norway after almost ten years here.
“We can always fix up a cabin for you under our plum tree!”
This message came from someone named Mari as one of many hundred statements of support that this Iraqi Kurd should be able to continue to living in Lillehammer and caring for cars. There was a unanimous wish in the local community that he and his family should finally have a permanent home in Norway.
In many ways Nasih Raof Ahmed has made a mark on the area. He became known locally and nationwide when he was on the front line of efforts by MUF (temporary refugees without family reunification rights) to get permanent residence in Norway. In and around LiIlehammer he is known as a service -minded businessman with a long list of customers. Being the person he is, he builds bridges between the local community and Lillehammer’s immigrants. Written on the backside of Mari’s card it said, “Thank you, Nasih Raof Ahmed, for being a fine example for Norwegians whether they come from inside or outside the country.”
Nasih Raof Ahmed was born in Iraqi Kurdistan in 1972. He was put in prison there as a result of political activities and membership in the Kurdistan Social Democratic Party (KSDP). His brother was killed. It was fear that drove Ahmed to flee. In the summer of 1999 he set foot for the first time on Norwegian soil. The year after he and over 200 other Kurdish Iraqis received the MUF status that would make them political footballs for the next ten years. They were temporary Norwegians without the right of family reunification.
The years went by and the pile of papers with temporary work permits, rejections and complaints grew on Ahmed’s desk. The MUF case became a big political issue and heads had to roll. In the midst of all the insecurity Ahmed managed to shape a life for himself in Norway. He got his first job in the Ringebu municipality where he lived until he moved to Lillehammer in 2004. His own firm, Central Car Care, has become a success. People in Lillehammer appreciate the fast good service and excellent care of their vehicles. They also appreciate the person Nasih Raof Ahmed, who soon became known and made many friends in town. He met a woman, a Kurdish asylum seeker from Iraq. They married and have a son named Arjo.
But in 2008 life was turned upside down for the little family that had bought a house, gotten a day care/kindergarten place for Arjo and shaped a life in Lillehammer. Residence permission was changed to a denial for both Ahmed and 125 other Kurds who earlier had received residency permission. That was enough for people in Lillehammer. They circled around the family, organizing letters of support and letters to the editor with a clear message: We shall have the car washer here! Local politicians from the governing Labor Party, Høyre Party and Socialist Left Party became involved and promised to bring the case to the highest level. NRK (Norway’s Public Broadcasting Network) and the local papers closely followed the case. Thanks to Ahmed people in Lillehammer learned what the acronym MUF stood for.
In spite of great and warm support, the months that followed were painful and uncertain for Ahmed. The book was full with greetings as well as challenges to the authorities to come to their senses over the issue. And finally in the fall of 2009 a message came: Citizen of Iraq, Nasih Raof Ahmed, is granted the required permission for a future life in Norway.
The flowers streamed in to Central Car Care, brought by the mailman, local journalists and happy customers. Ahmed was photographed with the mayor and the case received big headlines. He has a strong wish to give something back to the local community. He has already created solid employment for himself and many others. The account books show a company with increased sales year by year. This Kurd highly values Norwegian democracy and isn’t unfamiliar with a political career.
Those who say they hate foreigners will get something to think about after a chat with the car washer.
Generalizations are not something for Nasih Raof Ahmed!Generalizations are not something for Nasih Raof Ahmed!
- I get a little sad when all the foreigners get blamed when something goes wrong. Therefore it’s important that we talk together. People who never have contact with folks from elsewhere have a problem. I intend to say and show that we immigrants are as varied as all other people are. I want to be here in Lillehammer where people know me. And I promise to give back to Lillehammer in the future to show how grateful I am for all the support!