In Search of New Life: The Courageous Journey of Migrants From East to West

By Anwar Hamdan Sajwani

In Search of Life chronicles the harrowing journeys of multiple refugee seekers fleeing their homelands, risking everything in pursuit of peace, opportunity, and a place to call home. Ali and Abdul Rahim endure nerve-wracking trials, illegally crossing borders and navigating countless dangers seeking sanctuary in Europe. Through hard work and resilience, they eventually find themselves back in the Middle East, reconnecting with memories and loved ones once lost.

While this narrative springs from the writer’s imagination, it echoes the stories of over 27 million refugees worldwide, dreaming big in the face of unbelievable adversity. More than a portrayal of distress and pity, this is a tale of strength, perseverance, and the enduring power of hope. No matter the difficulties endured, the longing for safety and human dignity rings clear.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Apr 26, 2024
• ISBN: 9781035863570

Anwar Hamdan Sajwani

Dr. Anwar Sajwani is an award-winning Emirati consultant ophthalmologist. He worked at hospitals under the Dubai Health Authority for more than 25 years and was also a senior lecturer and examiner at Dubai Medical College. His quest for medical knowledge and expertise took him to multiple countries, including Pakistan, Lebanon, Egypt, Ireland, the UK and France. Whilst his passion to treat patients drove him to volunteer at different medical camps. He also has extensive knowledge of issues and challenges in the Middle East and aims to shed light at them through his publications. In 2020, he published Love in the Season of Hate as his first book.

Book preview

About the Author

Dr. Anwar Sajwani is an award-winning Emirati consultant ophthalmologist.

He worked at hospitals under the Dubai Health Authority for more than 25 years and was also a senior lecturer and examiner at Dubai Medical College.

His quest for medical knowledge and expertise took him to multiple countries, including Pakistan, Lebanon, Egypt, Ireland, the UK and France. Whilst his passion to treat patients drove him to volunteer at different medical camps.

He also has extensive knowledge of issues and challenges in the Middle East and aims to shed light at them through his publications. In 2020, he published Love in the Season of Hate as his first book.

Dedication

This work is dedicated to my family, specifically my wife, and daughter Fatma, who helped throughout the writing journey. Producing this would not have been possible without my parents’ efforts and teachers – who taught me the facts of life.

Copyright Information ©

Anwar Hamdan Sajwani 2024

The right of Anwar Hamdan Sajwani to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781035863563 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781035863570 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2024

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Chapter 1

The Mega Project, Dec 1990

As the twenty-seater private jet from Zurich touched down at the capital of an Arabian Gulf international airport, the ten passengers prepared to disembark. They all were dressed in expensive-looking branded suits, shirts, ties and shiny shoes. The team of highly experienced, multinational engineers and supporting personnel were headed by German chief engineer, Ali Farzad. The three women and seven men, including Ali, were European nationals and members of the International Swiss Civil Construction Company. They came at the invitation of the government to plan the construction of a completely new city outside the capital on an isolated island. The multi-billion-dollar city was to be developed as a tax-free haven, with a multitude of touristic attractions, including amusement parks and five-star hotels. Their project was the brain child of Ali Farzad and had been selected out of 100 designs submitted by other multinational companies from all around the globe.

As the plane made its approach to the VIP terminal, the pilot announced their safe arrival and the exit door with attached stairs opened. Ali unclipped his seat belt and rose from his comfortable sofa seat, followed by the other members of his team. As he stepped out of the plane and descended the steps of the private jet, he was greeted by a group of four people smartly dressed in starched white and immaculate dishdashas, ghutras and aqals. As it was in December, the weather was extremely pleasant even during the late afternoon.

Ali and his team were greeted by a member of the group who seemed to be in charge, Ahlan wasahlan, welcome.

Shukran, ahlan bik, Ali replied in perfect Arabic, much to their surprise.

I am Ahmed Al Rashid and these are my colleagues Jamal, Hamed and Fahad, Ahmed said introducing his team. Ali, in return, gestured towards his team and introduced them one by one. They shook hands and greeted each other warmly, knowing that they would be working closely together on the development project over the next six or more months.

After introductions, both groups walked over to the VIP terminal and, once inside, Ali’s team were ushered into a large hall with elegant sofas. An immigration officer approached them while they were seated and politely asked them for their passports, which were stamped immediately. The group exchanged pleasantries over Arabic coffee, dates and soft drinks and, afterwards, Ahmed asked them in perfect English, Are you ready to go to your hotel? I would advise you all to relax and get lots of rest today because tomorrow is going to be a long day. The director general of the municipality with the sheikh’s advisor will be meeting you to review the details of your plans for the city.

Ali replied, Yes, Sir, we are ready to go and ready to go over our plans at tomorrow’s meeting.

They all stood up and headed towards the black, shiny limousines waiting outside for them. The visitors were driven on well-paved roads surrounded by lush greenery, with sky scrapers gleaming on either side of the city. As they drove past the seaside, there was a lengthy and picturesque cornice, and the European team wondered what more could be added to such a beautiful city surrounded by the Gulf waters. Ali had visited the city with his father when he was only nine years old, when it was mostly desert with traditional houses with a long, sandy road along the beach.

Before long, the limousines arrived at a corniche in front of a forty-story five-star hotel. The drivers opened the limo doors and Ali and his team stepped out. Once inside the hotel, staff ensured that all of their suitcases, some containing very large mechanical equipment required for the project, were taken care of. After check-in formalities were complete, they were given key cards to their respective rooms. The team member’s accommodation was generously sized and very comfortable, especially Ali’s, whose room was a generously-sized suite with a king-sized bed attached to a large connecting sitting area, which was converted into a conference room. Before moving into his suite, Ali said to the group in German, See you at 8 in the dining room. They all nodded in agreement.

Later, the team met in their reserved dining room and sat at a round table where they ordered drinks and food from the menu provided to them by a waiter. After they ate and drank, Ali spoke to the group, Shall we have one last meeting in my suite before our final presentation tomorrow? They all agreed.

Although Ali was the youngest of the team, he was chosen as its Leader. He was 35 years old, of fair complexion, medium height, with dark brown eyes and thick black hair. One of the reasons he was chosen as the head of the team was that he spoke and wrote perfect Arabic; secondly, he had lived and studied in the Arabian Gulf for many years; more importantly, he had acquired post-graduate certificates in civil structures of Middle Eastern countries. Additionally, he had an excellent relationship with his seniors as well as all colleagues he worked with. He was very flexible and easily adapted to any working condition. His team consisted of mainly Europeans but of different origins. His assistant, Mr Liam, was a Swiss national, the eldest with the most experience in civil engineering. Out of the three female team members, two were from France and of Algerian origin, both computer engineers, and the third, Sarah, was from Germany, a marine engineer and experienced at data collection.

At the agreed-upon time, the group assembled in Ali’s suite around the meeting table and opened their laptops. After clearing his throat, Ali said, I believe all of us are well-versed in our mega project plan, and all of you know your role in this project. As you know, we’ve discussed this many times before coming here. I called on all of you to come together tonight to ask if you have any questions or final suggestions before our presentation tomorrow. The group discussed some of the points requiring clarification and offered suggestions to perfect their project.

Once everyone was satisfied with their progress, they closed their computers and prepared to leave. Liam said, One last thing is worrying me. The team directed their attention to him and looked at him curiously. I don’t understand a word of Arabic and I am worried that those of you who speak it will make fun of me and I won’t be able to understand anything! he exclaimed. Everyone laughed.

While they were leaving the room, Sarah pulled Liam aside and said, Liam, this is a good opportunity for us to learn some Arabic.

When everybody left and Ali was alone in his suite, he found himself looking around the luxurious room, its sparkling chandeliers, highly polished Italian furniture, large king-size bed and thick silk carpet. His imagination took him back to his previous life in the same country as a non-national. He remembered the shanty house his family lived in and his parents’ hardships and suffering. He could also recall many cheerful times and happy memories of his early childhood where he grew up and felt an emotional attachment to this country.

Then he thought about how he had left in a boat and his long painful journey to Europe and finally his success. He said to himself, What if I had not made that brave decision to leave, and stayed here. What would life be like now? Whatever the outcome would have been, he knew he loved this country and was glad that he was helping to develop a country which provided shelter to him and his family during the tough times.

The next day, after breakfast, the whole team was ready as their limousines arrived to pick them up at the hotel parking area. After being driven for three km, the group was dropped off at the front gate of a ten-story, modern-looking glass building, which they found out was the municipality and city development headquarters. Once inside, they were received by Ahmed and his team and were taken directly to the top floor, to the office of the city’s Director General. The director’s office was very spacious and he sat behind a large desk. In front of the director sat a middle-aged man in local dress and black bisht, who was a representative from the ruler’s office, Sheikh Nimr. After a long exchange of pleasantries with the director and the sheikh, Ali introduced his team members specifying their positions and individual specialties. The director, Saeed Al Amiri, was around 50 years old and looked typically like a Gulf national with short black beard. He led both teams into a huge meeting room, which was connected to his luxurious office.

Once everyone was seated, he began, I’m sure you all know why you’re here. We want to rebuild the entire island on Gulf waters. Our ruler wants this work to be carried out swiftly and efficiently; money is not an issue. We are ready to provide you with all the facilities and resources you require. The planning must be done within three to four months.

Ali replied in perfect Arabic, Your Excellency, this is a very short timeframe. Realistically the project will take five to six months, as mentioned in our contract. We need a list of documents, like maps…

Mr Saeed raised his hand and pointed towards a pile of documents on the edge of the table and said, All the documents required and mentioned in our contract are available here and all the logistic support is arranged by Mr Ahmed. All of Level 5 is allocated to your team with offices fully equipped with computers etc., as required by your team. Ali and his colleagues looked at each other and were clearly impressed by the efficiency and readiness of their organisers. In that case, we can try to finish the work earlier; we are motivated by your enthusiasm and want to start now, he