Seven months trapped in an airport

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Hassan Al Kontar always dreamed of being a journalist, but it was a dream he felt he couldn't pursue in his native Syria, so in 2006 he moved to the United Arab Emirates. But when the Syrian conflict began in 2011, Hassan was faced with an agonising choice - either leave his job, go home, and face military service or stay in the UAE and risk losing his right to work. He chose the latter and spent over five years homeless before being deported to Malaysia where he could only stay for three months. Hassan tried to fly to Ecuador but wasn't allowed to board the plane, and when he was denied entry to Cambodia, he found himself back in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur airport, confined to the transit area with no money, no passport and no way out. Hassan would end up living there for seven months before making it to Canada - in January 2023 he became a Canadian citizen. He's written a book about his experience called Man at the Airport. A longer version of this interview was first broadcast in July 2021. News clips came from CNN, TVNZ and France 24 Presenter: Emily Webb Producer: June Christie Get in touch: [email protected] or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707 (Photo: Hassan Al Kontar sitting on a chair at Kuala Lumpur airport. Credit: Hassan Al Kontar)