As of: March 24, 2024, 6:00 p.m
By: Christiane Breitenberger
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He wants to give a voice to those who don't have one: Osama Kezzo, who is now running for the EU Parliament, at the lectern at the demonstration in Indersdorf.
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Fearing for his life, Osama Kezzo fled his homeland of Syria ten years ago.
He has been involved in the area of integration in the Dachau district for years.
Now he is even running in the European elections.
Dachau – He loved working with children and the stories he could tell for the radio.
Osama Kezzo was happy and had many plans for his future.
But then the war came.
And changed everything.
Kezzo worked as a physical education teacher and journalist in Aleppo.
When the civil war broke out, he fled in fear for his life - like millions of other Syrians.
That was in 2014. His path took him via Lebanon, Iran and Turkey to Germany.
Now, seven years after the now 38-year-old arrived in Germany and around a year and a half after he was naturalized, he is running for the European Parliament.
The Dachau native recently spoke at the big demo for democracy in Indersdorf - the road there was a long one.
Osama Kezzo fled the war in Syria in 2014: ten years later he ran in the European elections
His first real stop in the Dachau district was Weichs in 2016.
Kezzo lived there in a container accommodation for asylum seekers.
It quickly became clear to him: I don't just want to sit around, I want to help.
Help make the situation easier for others.
He offered Caritas to volunteer.
This commitment was not new for Kezzo; he had already been involved in peace projects in Syria and Lebanon.
In Weichs he helped to overcome linguistic and cultural barriers.
He translated a lot, accompanied other refugees to doctors, showed people what they had in common, and showed “that differences enrich our society,” he says today.
He trained as a cultural interpreter and started working at Caritas in the area of refugee and integration advice.
Kezzo is also involved in the Migration Advisory Board and the Round Table Against Racism.
Osama Kezzo knows how quickly peace can be overturned
He knows exactly what happens when hatred and incitement divide a society.
The consequences of the war are part of his life every day - even though he now lives safely and happily in Germany.
It has become a part of my life that I am afraid for my parents.
Osama Kezzo
Kezzo's parents still live in Syria.
Depending on the situation, commute between Latakia and Aleppo.
Just a few weeks ago there were bombings again.
“It has become a part of my life that I am afraid for my parents.” A fear that no one gets used to – “even though it accompanies you all the time.”
Kezzo not only knows this fear, he also knows the pain of losing loved ones in war, like his cousin or his friend.
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This fear, this pain and his experiences of flight have made Kezzo the person he is today.
He knows how quickly “peace can be overturned in a country that was one of the safest in the world.”
That's why his path has taken him so far that he stands up on stages in his new home at demonstrations like in January in Dachau and recently in Indersdorf and advocates for democracy.
“I want to be louder, I want to give a voice to those who don’t have one.”
But that's not enough for Kezzo.
"I want to be louder, I want to give a voice to those who don't have one, and above all: I want to actively shape politics, not just advise." That's why he decided last year to go for the pan-European, i.e. from a variety of political “Volt”, a party influenced by cultural movements, can run for office.
“You can’t keep peace if you just watch or just complain.” He wants to “do something against hatred and discrimination.”
Kezzo wants to campaign for “a more humane asylum policy” at the European level.” He is convinced: “The current asylum reform violates human rights and is very inhumane.” He emphasizes: “We can be very strong if we support each other.
Diversity enriches us.
We need different perspectives.”
You can't keep peace if you just watch or just complain.
Osama Kezzo
Its important goal is dialogue: if we don't talk to each other, we can't come together.
That's why Kezzo doesn't shy away from “talking to right-wing radicals.
Even if it's not a nice experience."
Osama Kezzo had a happy life - before the war.
But today he has found a new home, is married and has completely new plans for the future.
He wants to show “how strong Europe can be together”.
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