Resettled Syrian refugee expresses sorrow over shootings

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Syrian man whose family was the first to be resettled in the U.S. as part of the new U.S. "surge" refugee program has faced several challenges since arriving in Kansas City -- from trying to learn English to having his teeth removed.

But on Monday, he wanted to express his sorrow over the nightclub shootings in Orlando, Florida.

Ahmad Alabood, a 45-year-old former construction worker from Syria, spoke through an interpreter at a news conference at a school operated by Della Lamb Community Center. The center has been handling the family's resettlement since they arrived in April from Jordan, where they lived in a refugee camp after fleeing Syria's civil war three years ago.

"He heard about it, and he says we are so sorry this happened from somebody like that. Islam is not like that," Alabood's interpreter, Fariz Turkmani, said of the Orlando shootings.

"This is not Islam. And he feels for the families that lost loved ones or have injured people."

Alabood said he has concerns about backlash against Muslims after the shootings, which left 49 people and the shooter dead and scores more injured. The gunman was identified as Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old, U.S.-born Muslim.

"It's so sad when somebody like that kills people, and he thinks he's going to go to heaven," Alabood said.

Alabood said a couple of his children, who range in age from about 1 to 12, had health problems, including the baby, who had elevated lead levels in his blood, and a 5-year-old with a heart ailment. He said both concerns have been addressed.

He said he's been working on his English since dealing with health problems, including having his teeth removed and talking to doctors about shrapnel in his head and legs from a bomb blast in Homs a few years ago.

Alabood attends English classes given by Della Lamb four days a week. On Monday, he sat in the back row, intently listening and quietly participating.

His two older children are enrolled in Della Lamb's charter school, where they have an interpreter. The younger children are picking up English quickly and will attend school in the fall, he said. Alabood said his wife stays home with their baby.

Alabood said through the interpreter he had warm feelings toward the U.S. before he arrived, and "whatever thoughts he had about America before, he believes in them even more."

Alabood has not yet started a job, said Judy Akers, Della Lamb's executive director. She said the first priorities have been tackling the family's health issues and learning English. Alabood is expected to be employed within the next several months, she said.

Della Lamb is also expecting to be assigned the resettlement of Alabood's brother, who is now in Jordan, but it's unclear when he and his two children will arrive, Akers said.

Alabood said he tells his brother it will be challenging in the U.S.

"He always tells him, you know, don't think that you're going on vacation when you come here. You are starting all over from zero, with the language, with everything," the interpreter said for Alabood.