Integration: Where are you going, Abdelmajeed?

He did not know recreational sports in Sudan – he ran to move forward. As a political refugee in Osnabrück, he has no job, no task, only his great talent.

Integration: Where are you going, Abdelmajeed?
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  • Page 1 — where are you going, Abdelmajeed?
  • Page 2 — Abdelmajeed never wanted to get away from Sudan
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    Osnabrück is always one of most livable German cities. Toger with Maan Moussli I drive through cozy West German roads, which really radiate a lot of satisfaction. For second time, Syrian filmmaker and I have been toger in search of everyday stories of refugees. When we parked in front of a house with exclusively migrant residents, I almost bought city its coziness. It's not until I ask myself how righteous osnabrückers are to divide ir happiness. A few tables and chairs are lost in large living room, scanty possession of three young Sudanese men lies in a few boxes on edge. But Abdelmajeed Abdallah leans with a wide grin in door of his new apartment and looks, yes, satisfied.

    Elisabeth Wellershaus, born 1974, lives in Berlin. She is a journalist and works among or things as an editor for art magazine "Comtemporary and". She is a member of editors of "10 after 8". © Time Online

    Maan knows Abdelmajeed because he has interviewed him for a film, most of or refugees in Osnabrück know him too. He appears at almost all events organized here for newcomers. Abdelmajeed has German, Syrian and Sudanese friends, understands each or. And above all, he understands how to cheer up friends – even if he knows that future doesn't look promising for him or ors. In small room of WG, which he is referring to this week, what drives his optimism stands on equal footing: a collection of cups and trophies, which he has already neatly sorted on a shelf. Here a marathon, as a ten kilometer run, often he is among first three. The documents of not so good competitions lie in drawer.

    Until three and a half years ago, when Abdelmajeed came to Germany, "run" meant for him to take path from parents ' house to workshop, which he runs with his cousin in small provincial town of Sannar in Sudan. The concept of recreational sports is foreign to him. But suddenly he sits in Osnabrück, as a dissident fleeing Sudan, without a job or a cleared asylum status, speechless. He knows that he will stay next few years, political situation in his homeland will not improve so quickly. But he doesn't know what he's supposed to do with himself. When inaction becomes unbearable after four months, he puts on his sneakers to turn around lake – and so Germans do it. After fifteen kilometers, he discovered lead-heavy legs and a passion.

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    The editorial office from 10 to 8 consists of:

    Marion Detjen, time historianHella Dietz, sociologyHeike-Melba Fendel, author and owner of artist and event agency Barbarella Entertainmentnett Gröschner, freelance authorMasha Jacobs, Journalist, editor of magazine Pop. Culture and critiqueStefanie Lohaus, journalist, editor of Missy magazineLina Muzur, program Manager of construction publishing houseCarine Newmark, cultural journalistAnnika Reich, writerElisabeth Wellershaus, journalist

    The first award ceremony reminds Abdelmajeed as a single noise, he only knows how feeling of tension, which belongs to his new everyday life, disappears for a moment and is replaced by overwhelming pride: shoulder tapping, gift baskets, recognition. At that time he was 24 and a half years in Germany. He has joined a running group for refugees and Germans in Osnabrück, toger y start at different runs in smaller cities, meanwhile only runs Abdelmajeed. "The feeling of winning was something I had never experienced before," he says, stroking his deeds. He took eighth place in Lower Saxon national championship. For a cold start athlete like him an incredible performance, meanwhile he trains with some of best runners of his state. He knows he's too old for big goals. Neverless, he will run in German championships out of competition, dreaming of Olympia. Because in no case Abdelmajeed wants to sit idly again – just don't stop.

    Date Of Update: 24 July 2018, 12:03