Name: Sajid Ali Mohsini

Profile: Hazara refugee from Pakistan, living in Indonesia since 2014.

Advantages: UN-certified, good English skills, Athlete, bodybuilder.

Risk: At risk of being killed by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi if returned home.

Canadian contact: Stephen Watt

Sajid Ali lost his father and brother in terrorist attacks in Quetta, Pakistan. Living there for him got worse when he survived one more suicide attack at the area he was selling vegetables. His mother did not have the tolerance to lose him as well, so she sent Sajid to Indonesia by boat in 2014.

Sajid has been living in limbo since 2014, and he has been spending his time in work out which is his passion.

His hope now is to find five friends who can help him come to Canada where he can pursue his dream, live a peaceful life and support his family.

Losing his Father

Sajid Ali Mohsini was born on May 4, 1999 in Quetta, Pakistan.

The Hazara people in Pakistan have been targets of persecution and massacres due to their religious and political beliefs.

On September 20, 2011, Sajid’s father was on his way to Iran with other pilgrims of the Hazara community. In the area called Mastung, some armed members of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (Terrorist Group) stopped their bus and started firing on Hazara innocents. As a result, 26 Hazaras got killed.

“My father was also on that bus, but since then, he has disappeared and we do not know whether he is alive or not.”

The Tragic Incident

After his father got missing, his brother Abdul Hamid, started selling vegetables in Hazara Town to feed his family. On June 30, 2013 another disastrous incident took place when a suicide attack targeted Hazaras in Balkhi Chowk, Hazara Town. At least 28 Hazara innocents got killed. When Sajid and his mother heard that the blast took place in Balkhi Chowk where his brother was selling vegetables, they ran towards that place. From there, they were told to go to the hospital and see if Sajid’s elder brother is among the victims. So, they went to the hospital and found out that Sajid’s brother was among those who got martyred.

“This incident broke our hearts into pieces. I did not talk to anyone for 1 whole month because I was completely saddened by knowing that my elder brother was no longer with us.”

Close to Death

After losing his brother, he became the breadwinner of his family and started selling vegetables on Ali Abad Road, Hazara Town.

On October 5, 2014, Sajid finished selling vegetables and was on his way home when he heard a massive blast. His family contacted him immediately, and he said that he was close to home. Then, he came to know that the blast took place on Ali Abad Road, the place he left 10 minutes before the blast. This time 33 Hazara innocents got martyred.

As Sajid’s mother had already lost her husband and son, she did not want to lose Sajid as well, so she decided to send him to a safe country.

The Way to Indonesia

“I was only 14 years old when I left my home and began a dangerous journey.”

On December 1, 2014, he went to Islamabad by bus and arrived there on December 2. Then he flew to Malaysia on December 4 and stayed there for 1 day. On December 5, 2014, he arrived in Pekanbaru Indonesia by boat where he stayed for about 9 days. On December 14, he flew to Jakarta and registered himself at the UNHCR office on December 17, 2014.

Life in Limbo

With no right to work or way to support himself in the new country, Sajid went to Pekanbaru Immigration Centre in December 2014 to ask for assistance. After sleeping for 3 months at the side of the road, he was transferred to a hotel as the detention centre was full.

On February 19, 2016, he was transferred to a shelter for teenagers in Makassar, and in July 2020, he was transferred to a community house in Makassar. Since then, he has been living there. Sajid has been keeping himself busy playing football and doing workouts. Also, he has been inspiring other refugees to exercise in order to stay positive.

His Dreams

Sajid’s dream is to become an athlete and a businessman in the future. He hopes to resettle in Canada and live with his family there peacefully.

As a UNHCR refugee, Sajid is eligible for Canada’s private sponsorship program. He needs a group of five Canadian friends to support him.

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

You can also reach out to Sajid directly on Facebook.

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

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