Around 75,000 Afghan refugees now call the United States home, including northwest Iowa. On Monday, February 7, two refugees will share their stories during a special forum at the Mary J. Treglia Community House. The event is sponsored by the National Immigration Forum. A member of the organization and Professor at Northwest College in Orange City, Jason Lief gives us a quick overview and his thoughts on immigration in Siouxland. Here’s his conversation with Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer.
Jason Liefserves as a bible, badges, and business mobilizer with the National Immigration Forum, where he serves as a bible, badges, and business mobilizer. He also teaches practical theology at Northwestern in Orange City.
News release submitted by the National Immigration Forum:
Conversation to Focus on Christian Welcome for Resettled Afghans 7 p.m. Monday; register for the event here
Sioux City — Afghans resettled in northwest Iowa will share their stories Monday at an event geared toward how local Christians can welcome our new neighbors.
Attendees at “Loving Our Immigrant Neighbor: Afghan Refugees” will hear from Halima Shokuri, a Northwestern College student who was in Afghanistan as the U.S. withdrew and later worked with Afghans temporarily housed at the Fort McCoy military base in Wisconsin. Shokuri also has helped the Mary Treglia House in Sioux City resettle Afghan individuals and families. Reza Akrami, who recently resettled to the Sioux City region, will also speak.
WHEN: 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7
WHERE:
Mary J Treglia Community House
900 Jennings Street
Sioux City, IA 51105
WHO:
Halima Shokuri, Northwestern College student from Kabul, Afghanistan
Reza Akrami, who recently resettled to the Sioux City region
Jason Lief, Bibles, Badges, and Business mobilizer for the National Immigration Forum and professor of practical theology at Northwestern College in Orange City