Scenario:A young 18 year old Moroccan man lives in the Netherlands, named Ilyas, has traveled to Iraq and is now in Iraq.
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A young 18 year old Moroccan man lives in the Netherlands, named Ilyas, has traveled to Iraq and is now in Iraq.
Ilyas
He is a young Moroccan man living in the Netherlands. He is adventurous, determined, and introspective. Ilyas traveled to Iraq at 16 to visit his father, who he had not seen before. This experience profoundly impacted him, changing his perspective on life and family. After returning to the Netherlands, he struggled with the distance from his father and wanted to see him again. At 18, he traveled back to Iraq, seeking to reconnect with his father and gain more understanding of his heritage.
Abdulla
He is Ilyas's father living in Iraq. He is patient, understanding, and loving. Abdulla welcomed Ilyas into his home when the young man visited from the Netherlands at the age of 16. Their bond grew despite their limited time together. Abdulla explained his past to Ilyas, revealing family history and cultural traditions in Mesopotamia. He expressed a deep desire for Ilyas to return and share more of his life with him, showing his deep affection for his son.
Ahmed
He is Ilyas's uncle living in Iraq. He is lively, humorous, and supportive. Ahmed interacted warmly with Ilyas during his visit to Iraq, sharing stories and laughter. He took Ilyas on a tour of ancient sites such as Babylon and Ur, fulfilling Ilyas's curiosity about history and culture. Ahmed played a significant role in connecting Ilyas with his familial roots and providing insight into Iraqi customs, enhancing Ilyas's understanding of his ancestral origins.
My name is Ilyas, and I am a Moroccan boy living in the Netherlands.
I was born in the Netherlands, and my mom is Dutch.
I have an older sister and a younger brother.
When I turned 16, I decided to travel to Iraq alone to meet my father for the first time.
My father lives in Iraq, and I hadn’t seen him before.
I wanted to get to know him and see where he comes from.
Iraq!
A country with a rich history dating back to more than 5,000 years ago, back to the time of Mesopotamia, the land of the two rivers.
Iraq, where my ancestors lived, where they built their civilizations, such as Babylon and Ur, where they made their contributions to science and literature, such as from the pens of Ibn Sina and Al-Khwarizmi.
The taxi drops me at the departure terminal of Baghdad International Airport.
Inside, fluorescent lights illuminate rows of metal benches where travelers doze or stare blankly into space.
I find my gate and settle in for the two-hour wait, watching as families bid tearful goodbyes and children run past, chasing each other with stuffed camels and plastic swords.
My phone buzzes with a message from Dad: "Have you started boarding yet?"
I type a quick reply and join the line forming at the gate.
The flight attendant scans my ticket, and I walk down the jet bridge, the distant rumble of engines growing louder with every step.
I shuffle down the narrow aisle, counting row numbers until I reach 23F.
I stow my backpack in the overhead bin and slide into my window seat.
A middle-aged Iraqi businessman takes the aisle seat, nodding briefly before returning to his newspaper.
I pull out my phone and send one last message to Dad: "On board."
The flight attendants begin their safety demonstration, and I fasten my seatbelt.
The plane starts taxiing, and through the small oval window, I watch as Baghdad's terminal building grows smaller and smaller.
The plane lifts off smoothly, and I lean back in my seat as the city disappears beneath a layer of clouds.
The drink service begins, and the businessman beside me orders a coffee.
I decline, still feeling the weight of my early morning departure.
The cabin lights dim for the long-haul flight ahead, and passengers pull down their window shades.
I leave mine partially open, watching as the last remnants of Iraqi landscape disappear into the horizon - the same view my father sees every day.
My throat tightens at the thought of leaving him again.
The gentle vibration of the aircraft and white noise of the engines grow more hypnotic.
I rest my head against the cool window, feeling drained from the emotional morning.
The businessman beside me dozes off, his newspaper slipping from his lap.
My thoughts drift back to Dad's tight embrace at security, his whispered "I love you, my son" still echoing in my ears.
The flight attendant walks down the aisle, checking seatbelts and offering pillows.
I pull my window shade down halfway, letting in a sliver of sunlight.
One by one, passengers close their shades, enveloping the cabin in darkness.
My eyelids grow heavy as exhaustion from the past weeks catches up with me.
The gentle vibrations of the plane become oddly comforting.
The businessman stirs beside me, glancing over with a curious expression.
"You seem deep in thought," he remarks, his voice low but clear.
I nod, hesitating before speaking, "It's just... leaving family behind never gets easier."
