Abdul Qader Yousefi

When I’m in Afghanistan I feel foreign, but not here. I feel comfortable when I land in Kastrup. I take a deep breath and feel at home.

I think it is important that we preserve Danish values and that we hold on to democracy, human rights and humanism. But whilst there are cut downs on hospitals and education, more money is being spent to wage war in places like Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. We need to question ourselves whether these wars are necessary?

My life philosophy is inspired by Jalal ad-din Rumi, a Persian poet who lived 800 years ago. His message was that the most important thing in the world is humanity, and that the best way to approach God is by giving love to other people. To me it is not about God, but about what is important, namely love and humanity. This mindset is not far from the reasoning on which the Danish welfare system is built. As a medical doctor, I know that all people are the same inside no matter what they believe in. We all look the same inside and there is no reason to split people up by their religious beliefs, the colour of their skin or the like.

46 years / male / in a relationship / children / medical doctor / Gentofte / from Afghanistan / came to Denmark in 2000 /residence permit same year