Escaping Iraq, finding God

Published: June 6, 2024

In 2003, Iraq was engulfed in civil war, forcing over 260,000 Iraqis to flee, according to the UNHCR. Among them was Ronza Sarra, an aspiring doctor. Sitting in an air-conditioned office in Amman, Jordan, Sarra shares her journey to becoming a refugee and how it led to a life filled with hope, volunteering, gratitude, and an unexpected closeness with God.

Sarra was born in Baghdad, Iraq's capital. The second oldest of three sisters and one brother, she enjoyed outdoor activities and family gatherings around Christmas. Despite being in the minority, Sarra’s Christian family faced no explicit discrimination before the war.

Iraq, originally a Christian nation, shifted to an Islamic society in 636 AD. Once the war began, religious tensions rose, and Sarra’s family feared for their safety. “We started to be afraid to go outside because of the situation and the religious problems,” Sarra recalled. However, the fighting quickly spread between different Islamic groups.

During the early years of the civil war, Sarra’s life was confined to school and home. “We were still attending school but were afraid all the time. My mom and dad encouraged us to continue our education no matter what. We took the risk, and thank God nothing happened,” she said.

When Sarra was twelve, her father was shot in the leg while driving, requiring a hospital stay. “There was a lot of bombing and blasts. You were not safe anywhere,” Sarra said, her eyes filling with tears. Her uncle and grandfather were kidnapped, presumably due to their faith, and her family stopped attending church due to attacks on Christians. This prompted a move to another city in Baghdad.

In 2010, Ronza's family considered fleeing Iraq but waited for her to finish high school. Although bombings slowed, tensions remained high. Her fear of being shot shifted to fear of being abused by relatives of patients at the hospital where she worked. “If something went wrong with a patient, it was your fault,” she said.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, Ronza faced an overflow of cases and stressed relatives. One severely ill patient passed away, and the relatives’ threats pushed the Sarra family to flee Iraq. In 2021, they applied for refugee status through the UNHCR but were turned away. Through support from a Christian community in Canada, they relocated to Amman, Jordan.

Despite the difficult transition, Ronza found new hope in Jordan. “I was so sad because I left my job and the future I had planned... but here I found many opportunities and new experiences,” she said. While awaiting a visa to Canada, the family volunteers at Refugee Cities Network, helping others who faced similar trials.

“Helping refugees here is an amazing experience. I am communicating with God more through this blessing,” Ronza said. Though making connections in a new land is challenging, she remains patient, knowing her eldest sister in Iraq still lives in fear.

Ronza uses her medical experience to serve refugees, while her sister teaches computer skills. Ronza plans to get her doctor's certification in Canada. She embraces her refugee status, saying, “When the community supports you, you feel like family. I am not embarrassed to be called a refugee; I have my own meaning for the word.”

With her eyes on Canada and a career as a doctor, Ronza reflects on her home country, praying for peace and prosperity. “I hope for it to be a safer place for people to live with dignity,” she said.

Ronza criticizes the media’s portrayal of the Middle East. Upon moving to Jordan, she realized the news was biased and misleading. She asked me about my views on the Middle East. I admitted my initial negative perception, but after years of education, I now desire to immerse myself in the Arab world.

Ronza’s story is a powerful piece of the complex puzzle of an Arab refugee’s life. Despite her hardships, she remains resilient and compassionate, serving others with God as her guide. We ended the interview with a hug and words of gratitude. She left me with this final quote: “After 2021, I became closer to God. It was an opportunity to meet God in person. I felt like God was there again.”