AN IRANIAN man who fled his country fears he will be sent back to Iraq, where he moved from Iran aged 23.
Parviz Khalidi, 37, is now living in Almondbury after leaving his family in Iran in 1994.
He lived in Iraq for several years, but fled after fearing for his life because of his support of a political party which aims for democracy.
Parviz is one of many Kurdish people now living in Huddersfield who have taken part in an exhibition at the Tolson Museum, Ravensknowle Park, showing relics from their culture.
Parviz, who has a painting in the exhibition, spoke of his hope for Iran at the launch of the exhibition yesterday.
He was given refugee status by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 1998, which was withdrawn by the Home Office and he is now awaiting a decision on his future.
Parviz said: “I cannot go back because of my support of the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran. We want democracy – it should be easy, but they don’t know about human rights, about different ideas or beliefs.”
He fled from Iran to Iraq in 1994. That was the last time he saw his father. The last time he saw his mother was in 2005 when he visited Iraq.
His father and two brothers were sent to prison because of their support for a democratic party, while another of his brothers was killed.
“I believe it is still dangerous to go home there,” Parviz said. “But my hope is that one day I can go back to Iran because there will be democracy and no fear for people.”
Parviz is an artist and started painting before he went to school.
He is one of many people living in Huddersfield from one of the Kurdish nations who is exhibiting art work or a family relic in the exhibition at the Tolson Museum.
Mervan Kelesh, a father-of-four who lives in Salendine Nook, has one of his poems in the exhibition.
Entitled Zemawendên Çûnê, it loosely translates to ‘My feelings when I flee’.
Mr Kelesh, who has Swedish nationality, said he was inspired to write the poems of his life in Syria.
He writes in Kurdish about how sad he was to leave his country and how difficult it was to leave knowing he would not go back.
He said that as he left he took in every sight so he could store it in his memory.
“Perhaps 90% of what I write is based on what I remember living there and the rest living in Europe and my childhood,” he said.
It was enjoyable to write and it was difficult at the same time, he said.
Kim Strickson, outreach manager for museums and galleries, has collated the items into a display as part of the Cabinet of Curiosities.
She said: “They have all contributed items which are special to them.
“Most of them have fled their country and they come from all areas of Kurdistan to Huddersfield which is such a diverse place.
“We are pleased that people can see items which are special to them. This is one way people can get a glimpse of their lives.”
On show are children’s clothes, materials, paintings, poems and a glass tea cup. The Wakefield Road exhibition is open.
