A determined 10-year-old boy in Edmonton is working tirelessly to secure his father’s release from the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip. Rashid Abusalim has taken his father’s case to their local member of Parliament and even considered a hunger strike, which his mother talked him out of. He keeps mementos in a box, waiting for the day he can share them with his father, Saed Abusalim, who they can only connect with through sporadic video calls due to the ongoing conflict.
Rashid, who was just two years old when his family decided to move from Palestine to Canada, along with his mother, Saloumi Abusalim, became Canadian citizens after applying for refugee status. Saed had planned to join them by applying for Canadian permanent residency from Gaza. However, multiple obstacles, starting with the COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbated by the Israel-Hamas war, have prevented his reunion with his family.
Despite several attempts to cross into Egypt for the necessary biometric screening, Saed has been repeatedly turned back. Saloumi described the dire situation her husband faces in Gaza, where medical supplies are scarce, leaving him on the brink of starvation and without essential medications. The family remains hopeful for a reunion but is struggling with the prolonged separation.
The Canadian government’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) acknowledged the challenges faced by Gazans in meeting immigration requirements. While over 1,400 Palestinians have been able to enter Canada through various programs, the difficulties in leaving Gaza persist due to factors beyond Canada’s control. Efforts are being made to expedite the process for eligible individuals, but bureaucratic hurdles, particularly with biometrics screenings, remain a significant obstacle.
Various organizations, including the Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC), have highlighted the disparities in Canada’s response to the crises in Ukraine and Gaza, urging authorities to address the humanitarian situation promptly. Despite the ongoing struggle, Rashid remains hopeful for a reunion with his father and continues to call out to both parents, longing for the day when his dad will answer back.