I am a researcher and translator based in the Netherlands, originally from Syria. My work focuses on forced migration, gender, and digital inclusion. Explore an example here. I joined the Morocco research project to explore the lived experiences of migrants navigating multiple systems of marginalization. It’s work that deeply resonates with my own personal and professional journey, and it also enriched my legal understanding across different contexts.
Reflection
One of the most memorable moments during the project was witnessing Syria’s demographic transformation while simultaneously being part of the Syrian community living through it. As I listened to participants who had traveled 5,826.7 kilometers due to the war, I was struck by how they were navigating life in new communities and confronting legal realities so different from those in their homeland.
The most difficult aspect for me was hearing their stories—stories of searching for stability, for a sense of belonging, and for familiar threads between Morocco and Syria that might help them feel more settled. Some spoke of building new families, marrying Moroccan partners, and learning to live within a different society. There were moments when I had to pause and reflect before continuing to work on certain texts.
Insights
This research project also gave me valuable insights into family law and legal regulations across Syria, Morocco and the Netherlands. Through interviews and workshop sessions, I gained a deeper understanding of how these systems differ and how they shape the lives of migrants, especially in intimate and familial matters.
Enduring impression
What stayed with me most was the strength of the desire to survive and the power of human solidarity that transcends bureaucracy. I was deeply moved by how Moroccan communities embraced Syrians and helped them carve out new paths in unfamiliar terrain.