| Case:Ilham from Afghanistan Start date: march 7, 2021 Support: living costs and support to get a permit to stay somewhere Budget needed: monthly €350 for living costs plus budget for a permanent solution Ilham is a member of this community. If you want to get in touch or have a question for him, you can ask him directly via his profile page. |
October 2024 – A young Afghan atheist’s world was turned upside down by the death of a dear friend
even as he himself struggles to support himself, his friend’s family, and his own.
Ilham, 24, a refugee and business administration student in Türkiye, was rocked by the
death-by-suicide of a close friend recently.
“He killed himself, barely older than me, and a very good young man with talents that farsurpassed me,” recalled Ilham.
Ilham, a pseudonym to protect his real identity, is an Afghan refugee who has rejectedIslam. He fled Afghanistan to escape his family and the brutal regime that would kill himfor his lack of belief. Ilham had aided the U.S. forces in Afghanistan, which made himeven more of a target by the Taliban, who now totally control Afghanistan. Ilham recentlyspoke with Freethinkers International.
“I haven’t been able to deal with it,” Ilham said of his friend’s untimely death. “I cried likea child. And I have seen worse things in life.”
His friend was an IT professional in Afghanistan, but a poet and writer as well. Hestruggled with Afghanistan’s brutal conditions under Taliban rule. Ilham said his friendhad, “an open mind that accepted my atheism and even went as far as to listen to myarguments.”
“My mental state is devastated,” said Ilham. He continues to suffer from sleep issues,including nightmares and physical symptom of stress.Ilham, who barely survives week to week, now has taken on the extra burden of helpinghis deceased friend’s family.
“I can’t let them starve,” explained Ilham. So, he somehow manages to scrape
something together to help his friend’s family as well as his own family members in
Afghanistan.
While Ilham does some odd jobs, his main support comes from donations through
Freethinkers. Despite all his challenges, Ilham has begun a small online business
selling used and refurbished technology. His goal is always to flee the small Turkish city
in which he lives, to find freedom in Europe or farther afield.
It’s early days and so far, despite being online, he can only do business within Türkiye.
Ilham said going beyond borders requires permits and citizenship and a truckload of
money. He sells phones and gaming tools but would like to do more. But laptops and
other stock are expensive. He needs to replenish and upgrade his stock.
His immediate needs are still food and medications. Ilham has PTSD and ADHD. He
suffers from skin disorders and high blood pressure as well. And while young he walks
with a cane.
Inflation has sent everything skyrocketing – in August 2024, the annual inflation rate in Türkiye was 51.97%, down from 61.78% in July! Ilham must often choose between rent, food and medications. He’s resorted to acquiring expired medications from pharmacy disposal bins. He is using ADHD medicine that expired in 2022 but said he has used medication as old as from 2018.
Ilham’s school fees have tripled and staying in school is imperative. He stays in the country by virtue of his status as a student under a temporary resident permit.
Ilham is in year three of a four-year program. Once his schooling is complete Ilham must find a way to freedom or Türkiye will deport him to Afghanistan. Ilham has no doubts the Taliban will “greet” him at the airport.
“Drowning in the Mediterranean is far better than getting tortured by Taliban and then being beheaded,” he said before joking, “Who knows maybe Poseidon will change me into some sea creature.”
Ilham continues to live in poverty in a small, rundown apartment he shares with two roommates. They lack basic appliances. And in a world where TV is a luxury, Ilham finds solace in books. He’s intrigued by Roman mythology and his favourite book is Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Ilham joked that the Russians know misery and that’s why he loves those books.
You can help Ilham reach his goals – both immediate and his quest for freedom – by donating to support his daily needs as well as funds to get his business going.
