Shahid Najab, a Syrian migrant in the city of Rostock, Germany, recalls the fears of fleeing from ISIS during the Syrian civil war, now struggling with worries about whether he still feels a sense of belonging in Germany. He and his wife, Mahmoud Hamouich, who live with their two young children, have been refugees in Germany for several years and are working in the country.
Growing Concerns Among Migrants
Najab and Hamouich are part of over 900,000 Syrians residing in Germany, most of whom came as refugees during the civil war. However, with the rising support for the right-wing AfD party and the return of immigration issues to the center of political discussions, feelings of disrespect and hostility towards foreigners are on the rise.
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In conversations with twenty migrants in Rostock and the nearby city of Schwerin, most of them referred to their experiences of anti-migrant insults in recent years. Some even mentioned instances of direct insults and inappropriate behavior in public.
Political and Economic Impacts
Support for the AfD party is particularly increasing in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and polls indicate that this party may become the largest in the upcoming elections. This is while the party strongly emphasizes limiting immigration and policies for the return of migrants.
Criticism of the AfD party from other political parties is also on the rise. Manuela Schwesig, the state’s prime minister, accused the AfD in a television debate of creating an atmosphere of fear and concern. She stated that such an atmosphere negatively impacts the daily lives of those who work and pay taxes in the country.
In this situation, many migrants, including Najab and Hamouich, are contemplating their future in Germany, and if the situation continues as it is, they are considering the possibility of leaving the country. Najab expressed his feelings of insecurity at the last moment, saying: "My family and I came here to build a better life for our children."
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