Mohammed's Story

Mohammed arrived in Australia from Egypt in the early 1970s. At the time it was relatively easy to immigrate to Australia and being an ambitious person he thought Australia would hold many opportunities for him. Soon after arriving in Australia, Mohammed moved to Newcastle for work.

Since then Mohammed has lived and worked all over Australia in cities and in country towns. Mohammed trained as an Engineer in Egypt, but his qualifications were not formally recognised here. He could not afford the time or money to go to University in Australia, so he accepted any job that he could get.

Seventeen years after arriving in Australia, Mohammed returned to Egypt for a holiday and met a woman whom he married. Unfortunately she found it difficult to adapt to the new way of life and different customs in Australia, so she returned to Egypt within months of coming to Australia.

Some time later, Mohammed made another visit to Egypt to find a partner and they returned to Australia and lived in Lakemba for many years. Unfortunately their lives have taken different directions and they separated.

Mohammed has been living in an unlicensed boarding house in the South Sydney area for the past nine months. He first became familiar with this boarding house in the 1970s when he regularly stayed there between jobs in the country. Over the years he has seen the upgrading of the boarding house into its current condition.

“The rooms are well equipped. It has a bed, a microwave, a wardrobe, a television and a small fridge. This enables everyone to be independent and care for himself. I am used to this place and the good thing is that I like the security here. I have lived in different boarding houses before and you could be robbed and attacked, it was frightening, but her it is good and the management is tolerant and it is very close to the city and transport”.

Mohammed always makes sure he is back at the boarding house around an hour before it gets dark and spends his evening reading or listening to the radio. He doesn’t drink or smoke. He wakes around 6am and is ready to go out at 8am and spends his day around the city and harbour. His daily prayers are an important part of his spiritual living. He visits the Lakemba Mosque on Friday at noon and at other times prays in his room.

Now retired, Mohammed’s future plan is to go back to Egypt Although he has enjoyed living in Australia he wants to return to his homeland. He feels vulnerable being an elderly man living in the city in Australia. For him, there is more respect and care given to elderly people in Egypt.

Mohammed will continue to live in the boarding house until he goes back to Egypt as he feels comfortable and secure there.