30th May 2025

Abed* and his family from Afghanistan were forced to flee the Taliban as a result of a conflict between neighbouring villages. Abed made a long and perilous journey alone and arrived in Northern Ireland seeking asylum age 15. His family remains under threat in Pakistan.

“Whenever you have to choose between life and death you have to sacrifice for your survival. I saved my life. Where I used to live was controlled by the Taliban.  I didn’t make the decision to leave my home. We were forced to leave.

It is hard to put my journey into words. I was young and I travelled on my own through countries like Turkey and Greece, it was a difficult time. I do still have bad memories of it but I try and forget whatever has happened, leave the past behind and make my own life now.

I didn’t know about Northern Ireland before I arrived. I ended up in Derry/ L’Derry and I stopped a lady in the street and asked for help. She took me to a police station and they weren’t sure what to do with me – it was new to them too. Eventually I was sent to Belfast where I was provided with accommodation, food clothes and everything until I was 18 then I moved on to my own place.

I found it hard coming here as I had no English, knew nothing about the culture, the people or the system. I’m still figuring out a lot of things!

I’m happy with life now. I’ve got friends, a place of my own, a car, a job and have asylum…everything I wanted.”

Liam, one of the social workers who knows Abed said: “Some of our young people have lost family members along the journey, have seen family members in boats capsized. But despite the trauma they have endured, they are very resilient young people. They want, like Abed has done, to be safe and to improve the quality of their life. Abed was able to be educated here, learn English and move on to college. He then got an apprenticeship in an engineering company and now has a full time job. He is very humble, but it has been so rewarding for us – we feel so proud of the young people and what they have achieved.”

Listen to Abed’s interview on BBC Good Morning Ulster below:

*name changed to protect his identity