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Vasif’s big day
Eight-year-old Vasif looks like a prince. Dressed in a white robe and head dress, he holds an ornate sceptre while his proud parents look on. Today they are celebrating Vasif’s circumcision – an important rite of passage for a young boy in Azeri culture. Some neighbours have been invited to join in the celebration and they gather outside the modest house, made out of handmade clay bricks, to enjoy a few simple snacks. Then there is somebody else at the gate: a team from Kitab Shirketi is visiting, to find out how the family have been since their last visit, and to bring more gifts of Scriptures, as well as sweets, biscuits and other snacks. Celebrations The family is delighted, especially when Namik gives them a photograph of themselves from his last visit here. Vasif’s grandfather warmly welcomes the team and invites them to share in the food and celebrations in the garden. “But this is not how we would have chosen to celebrate Vasif’s big day,” he sighs. “If we were back home we would have had this party at a restaurant, but now it is impossible.” With work scarce in this arid part of Azerbaijan, the family struggles to make ends meet. Like all the other refugees, they dream of being able to return home and build their lives again. Vasif’s mother, Sahib, tells the team that he loved the Scripture colouring book he received last time. “He has been colouring in all the pictures,” she smiles. Namik reaches into a bag and pulls out four different children’s
Scriptures, as well as some sweets and snacks for Vasif to enjoy with
his family. The adults, too, are given Scripture Portions. Vasif smiles proudly in his finery, clutching his new books, as the team takes his photograph. This is truly his special day that he will remember for a long time. (WR 407/25 - 12.06) [3 photos] |
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