BIBLE HILL - A former Truro resident, who is now a diplomat in Sudan, said his immigration journey was not an easy one, but one he wouldn't change.
Sohrab Farid, 33, and his family immigrated to Canada, more specifically Edmonton, from Iran in 1982. He became a Canadian citizen as a pre-teen in 1989 and then his family moved to Truro the following year.
"I was five when my family moved to Canada. I was shocked I could watch cartoons all day Saturday in Canada and I thought this place was paradise."
Not that the transition was easy, he said.
"It was stressful, especially learning English," Farid said. "And Truro was the first small town I lived in and I felt like a bit of an outsider at first."
His family adapted and the move proved to be positive. Farid studied commerce at Dalhousie University and ultimately worked in different countries. A year ago, he moved to Sudan and represents the Canadian government as first secretary through the Canadian Embassy.
"It is an honour to work for Canada. Canada is regarded very highly in Sudan. The general view of Canada is that it's a place (of freedom), safe, a good place to raise children" and that Canada "doesn't tolerate diversity, we celebrate it."
Farid shared a bit of his story at a citizenship ceremony in Bible Hill Wednesday. He said the event was a reminder of his ceremony.
"It's a sense a validation," said Farid. "It's not easy to be an immigrant and when you are told 'you are one of us' that's special ... and I didn't have to sacrifice my identity."
Farid has returned to Truro many times over the last five years and is pleased to see what he believes to be "an influx of immigrants."
mchiasson@trurodaily.com
