During a small ceremony at the German Museum of Art of Cultural History, the Bremen state government, in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, awarded Tariq Mazaal the Diaspora prize under the Peace category for his efforts and volunteering work in Germany.
Mazaal, born in Deir Ezzor, in 1999, sought refuge in Germany in 2015 without his family after the schools were closed in his city due to the war. Upon his arrival in Bremen, he learned German in a record eight months, despite the language being difficult for him and the rest of the refugees.
After learning German, Tariq was able to enroll in a school and complete his studies there. After obtaining his MSA certificate, he began vocational training in business administration in a number of companies, while at the same time, studying for his high school diploma.
Because of his fluency in the language, Tariq started helping other refugees by filling in their forms and documents, and accompanying them to government departments. He later volunteered in organizations that help refugees, such as AWO, Caritas, Fluchtraum, and Help a Refugee, which he joined in 2017. At the time, Tariq and a number of his volunteer friends thought of the idea for creating Refugee for Refugee association to support other refugees.
According to Tariq, Shahanim Korko-Philip, a representative in the People's Assembly in Bremen and a member of the Green Party, had nominated him for the award.
The award is aimed to strengthen and support volunteers and effective organizations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), officially known as “Transforming Our World” (2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development), which lays out 17 goals set by the UN.
The award is divided into 5 categories:
The “Peace” category for volunteers who are helping to build a peaceful society, away from fear, terror and violence, and to provide an opportunity for all people to participate in it.
The “People” category for volunteers fighting against hunger, poverty, illiteracy and disease.
The “Environment” category for volunteers in the field of combating climate change and protecting nature and land.
The “Prosperity” category for those supporting and ensuring that all people have a happy and easy life, providing work, housing and other necessities of life.
The "Cooperation" category for those who support cooperative work in all countries for a better life for all people.
More than 40 people and organizations were nominated, and the winners were selected by a committee consisting of members of the People’s Assembly, and other persons such as school principals, chaplains, and directors of companies and institutions.
Tariq Mazaal’s was awarded his prize in the Peace category for his volunteer work in more than one organization, and especially in his own association, Refugee to Refuge, out of a number of nominees from African, Arab and other countries.
Mazaal was previously awarded the Citizens' award from the Bürgerpreis Bank, which he dedicated to the Refugee to Refugee Association, as well as honored by the Minister of Social Business and Integration in Bremen.
By Faris Rifai
Zaman Al Wasl
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