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Berlin selfie hero: Concern for family despite Assad's fall!
Anas Modamani talks about his selfie with Merkel, worries about his family in Syria and the difficulty of family reunification.
Berlin selfie hero: Concern for family despite Assad's fall!
The man behind the iconic Merkel selfie lives in an emotional dilemma! Anas Modamani, the 27-year-old Syrian, came to Germany with the large wave of refugees in 2015 and made headlines around the world with a selfie with then-Chancellor Angela Merkel. But behind the famous photo lies a heartbreaking story of separation and hope. Since his arrival, Anas has worked tirelessly to bring his parents from war-torn Syria to Germany BILD reported.
Hope is increasingly dwindling. Although dictator Bashar al-Assad has been overthrown, the chances of family reunification are worse than ever. Modamani complains that Germany seems to be closing its doors to family reunification in the midst of the ongoing war. The formal legal hurdles associated with high costs and age limits make the process almost impossible.
A tough fight for security
Anas longs to be able to offer his parents a more secure future here. But the reality is harsh: In Syria, Modamani's parents live in constant danger, forced to hide from air strikes. However, Germany now places high demands on the admission of Syrian refugees, especially if there is no longer an immediate reason to flee.
These circumstances increase Anas's frustration. He talks about his journey through numerous counseling centers, but even with German citizenship, family reunification remains an elusive dream. "My parents sometimes sleep in the basement to avoid attacks. How could I leave them there alone?"
Future without a home
Since Anas has been living in Germany, he has built a lot for himself. He is a successful cameraman, engaged to a Ukrainian woman and the self-confident holder of a German passport. However, his greatest wish lies beyond his reach - to be reunited with his family. When asked why he doesn't want to return, he clearly emphasizes that Syria is no longer a country worth living in and that he sees no prospects there.
The emotional toll remains as Anas hopes to see his family, perhaps for a temporary visit in the future, reported PICTURE. But even that requires operational airports to be in place. In the meantime, the iconic selfie will continue to stand as a symbol of hope and unfulfilled dreams.