Praise for young peacemaker
by Mark Lankshear

Fleeing from Iraq, Ahmed Salim arrived alone in London in 1999. He only had a few words of English and knew little of the culture or laws. Now, at the age of 20, he has won the praise of local police for helping diffuse dangerous tensions, helping to build bridges and develop support for the Kurdish community.

The Kurdish lands and people are spread across five countries, including Iraq, and they have been fighting for their own state for many years. Over the last ten years many have fled to Europe following the uprising against Saddam Hussain in 1991 and his chemical attacks on towns like Halabja where thousands died in 1988.

“Landing in London was terrifying at first. I couldn’t speak the language or understand how the system worked. But I went to college to improve my English and quickly found myself helping other Kurds to deal with health, housing and the legal system.”

When Ahmed came to Sheffield he quickly made contact with other Kurds.

“We naturally support each other, it’s part of our culture. We are hard working and well educated. Many of us have qualified as teachers, doctors and even a pilot, but this is not recognised here, and it’s impossible to get work when you can’t speak the language. Many people support others from the community, we expect each other to share and not to look to the government.”

The arrival of Kurdish young men in the Verdon Street area led to tensions with other residents. After five of the Kurd’s cars had been set on fire police found themselves in the middle of a potentially explosive situation, which in some cities has led to ugly and prolonged violence.

“It happened right outside my flat. I had helped before so people trusted me. I explained the law and persuaded them to let the police deal with these attacks instead of seeking revenge.”

After helping calm tensions, Ahmed went on to organise Kurdish social evenings at Verdon Rec and a Kurdistan Utd football team. He has even persuaded Sheffield College to put on English courses at the Rec. He hopes to establish a Sheffield Kurdish Cultural Centre to provide advice and support, has been promised a property by the council, and intends to go to university and study law.

Burngreave is lucky to have someone who can get so many agencies to work together, turning a conflict into such a hopeful beginning. Always the perfect diplomat, Ahmed was keen to ensure that those who had helped were also acknowledged:

John Brennan, Adrian Fox and Caroline Rollitt from the Police; John Clarke, Aisha Special K and Levi Ferguson from New Deal; Ruggy Johnson and Ellisa Clarke from ‘Voice of the People’; Owen Wright from ‘Listen to Us’; Mr Naqeeb from the Yemeni Education and Relief Organisation; Minke and Katy from the Verdon St Rec; the Sheffield Utd Football Academy; Emma and Jim from the Northern Refugee Centre and the Kurdish Cultural Centre in London.