Names: Neamatullah Akhlaqi, Durnisa Akhlaqi and their children Abulfazl (11), and Arman (9).

Profile: Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, living in Indonesia.

Advantages: UN-certified, good English skills, experienced tile installer, bricklayer, mason and truck driver.

Risk: At risk of being tortured and killed by the Taliban if returned home.

Canadian contact: Stephen Watt

Neamatullah worked for the Norwegian Afghan Committee (NAC) as a foreman, and he was captured and tortured by the Taliban due to working for the organization. Knowing that he would be killed, he escaped from there and came to Indonesia by boat in 2014 to save his life.

After Afghanistan’s invasion by the Taliban in August 2021, his family fled to Pakistan due to being harassed by the Taliban. Neamatullah is multitalented and looking for a group of Canadian friends who can help him and his family come to Canada where he can live with freedom, use his skills and contribute to society.

Captured and Tortured

Neamatullah Akhlaqi was born in January 1990, in the Malistan district in Ghazni province in Afghanistan.

The Hazara people of the region have long been targets of persecution and massacres because of their culture, religion, and love for education. On August 28, 2013, Neamatullah started working as a foreman with a nonprofit organization by the name of the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee (NAC). The organization’s mission was to rebuild and develop the country by constructing farm buildings, pools and school buildings.

After about 4 months on December 20, 2013, Neamatullah was on the way to Ghazni for some formalities of the documents and paying bills. When he reached the area called Dasht-e-Qarabagh, the Taliban intercepted his car and started searching.

“There were 4 armed members of the Taliban on two bikes. After finding my documents and laptop in which the committee’s documents were saved, they tied my hands, blindfolded and took me and two other Hazara men to an unknown place.”

Neamatullah was tortured and beaten by the Taliban there. Knowing that they would be killed by the Taliban, he and the two Hazara men decided to escape from there. At the time of evening prayers, all members of the Taliban went for praying. Neamatullah and the two Hazara men untied each other’s hands and got out of there. Neamatullah kept running through the jungle until he reached a highway. He then went to Naw Abad, Ghazni by car and stayed hidden at his aunt’s home for about nine months.

“Those were the most difficult days for me because I could not return to my home, nor I could stay safe in the country anymore.”

Leaving Home

Since the Taliban had his documents and information, they could easily find and kill him in Afghanistan. After he decided to seek a safe place, he arranged for a people smuggler and went to Kabul. On October 10, 2014, he was brought to Quetta, Pakistan where he stayed for 20 days. He was then brought to Karachi from where he flew to Thailand. From there, he went to Malaysia by land and then on to Medan, Indonesia by boat on November 9, 2014.

Life in Indonesia

After arriving in Jakarta, he registered himself with the UNHCR on November 12, 2014, and then stayed in Bogor for more than 3 years.

Due to not having the right to work or way to support himself in Indonesia, he went to Kalideres Immigration Centre to ask for assistance in February 2018. He was then detained inside the immigration centre for 4 months. In June 2018, he was transferred to a community house in Jakarta. Since then, he has been living there and has been keeping himself busy by improving his English skills and exercising. He can speak fluent English now.

Far from Family

As a refugee, Neamatullah has been deprived of his basic human rights. He cannot work, get proper education, drive and travel to another city. On the other hand, he has been very worried for his family who has been living in Quetta, Pakistan as refugees since August 2021.

“Unfortunately, the reason for my family’s leaving Afghanistan is being harassed by the Taliban forces after they invaded the country. I feel so helpless that I cannot support my family”

Neamatullah and his wife Durnisa have two sons Abulfazl Akhlaqi (11 years old), and Arman Akhlaqi (9 years old). His family is not safe in Pakistan since his wife and children are living without any guardians. Neamatullah has a sister named Latifa Akhlaqi who is a divorcee, and he does not know where she is now, due to the loss of contact.

Hopes and Dreams

Neamatullah is an experienced tile installer, bricklayer and mason. He says:

“My dream is to get an opportunity to expand my experience and knowledge in construction, but it is not possible while living as a refugee here in Indonesia. I am willing to get resettlement in a safe country where I can utilize my career and experience to fulfill the necessities of the country.”

He is a good truck driver too. His dreams can be fulfilled if he and his family get resettled to a country like Canada where he can live with freedom and serve the country with his skills.

As UNHCR refugees, he and his family are eligible for Canada’s private sponsorship program. They need a group of five Canadian friends to support them.

To help support them as a sponsor, please contact Stephen Watt on Facebook.

You can also reach out to Neamatullah directly on Facebook – or by email: nematakhlaqi1@gmail – or through WhatsApp: +62 812-8000-1860.

Reach out and discover how wonderful it is to privately sponsor a beautiful family to start a new life – with your help – in Canada!

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