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“They do not rent to us because we are black and have many children,” the women said in their statement, which was reported by news agencies Thursday. “We do not behave [toward foreigners] like that in Somalia,” they added.

Somalis living in boarding houses said their rental contracts expire Dec. 31 and none of the landlords in the city would agree to rent to them. Twenty people appealed to the state for help with the situation, speaking on behalf of 400 women and children from Somalia who came to Turkey to escape their country’s ongoing civil war.

Members of the protesting group held banners that read, “Our hotel is forcing us to leave,” “Protect us!” or “Everyone sends their greetings to the governor,” saying they wanted the provincial governor to hear their voices. The demonstrators continued shouting despite police efforts to calm the group down, reports said.

Deputy Gov. Tahir Demir, who also serves as the province’s social aid director, asked to talk to the refugees and reportedly met with two of their representatives. During the meeting in the Governor’s Office, other refugees started to sing the Somali national anthem.

“There are some advertisements saying people have houses to rent, but whenever they realize we are from Somalia, they refuse us,” said one of the protesters, who said she has seven children and will be homeless soon due to having to leave the boarding house. “Are you Muslims or not?” she asked.

After Demir promised their accommodation problems would be solved, members of the group were taken back to their boarding house in official cars.

‘Worried for no reason’

Deputy Gov. Demir said none of the refugees suffer from being homeless. “We provide housing, heating, food and drink,” he said. “It is not clear that we can make an agreement with the owner of the boarding house. I believe that the protest strengthens the owner’s position.”

Demir said Isparta is a very sensitive province when it comes to taking in refugees. “None of the women will be forced to live outside; they worry for no reason,” he said.

HalfDzed wrote:It makes one wonder where are the men? Where are these women's husbands and the fathers to these children?

Surely these women didn't have all those kids by themselves?

grandpakhalif wrote:I'm suprised there are Somalis permanently living in Turkey, usually it's just a transit stop for other countries such as UK, Sweden etc. Why would they stay there?

hyperactive wrote:

HalfDzed wrote:It makes one wonder where are the men? Where are these women's husbands and the fathers to these children?

Surely these women didn't have all those kids by themselves?

exactly that what i wanted to say before i even read your post!!!

where the guys ? mel walba haween iyo dalan ba ko rafadaya!!!

hyperactive wrote:

grandpakhalif wrote:I'm suprised there are Somalis permanently living in Turkey, usually it's just a transit stop for other countries such as UK, Sweden etc. Why would they stay there?

yes that's the case but they stuck there, no sponsor coming. many of somalis left iraq, kuwait,saudi arabia, and register in UN top get immigration papers.

Yoousef wrote:Whats a marfish?

abdisamad3 wrote:

hyperactive wrote:

HalfDzed wrote:It makes one wonder where are the men? Where are these women's husbands and the fathers to these children?

Surely these women didn't have all those kids by themselves?

exactly that what i wanted to say before i even read your post!!!

where the guys ? mel walba haween iyo dalan ba ko rafadaya!!!

they are either chewing khat in the local marfish discussing about qabiil issue's or busy with their 2 wifes..and some might be dead.

grandpakhalif wrote:

Yoousef wrote:Whats a marfish?

an establishment where somalis come together to chew qaad

HalfDzed wrote:It makes one wonder where are the men? Where are these women's husbands and the fathers to these children?

Surely these women didn't have all those kids by themselves?

hyperactive wrote:

HalfDzed wrote:It makes one wonder where are the men? Where are these women's husbands and the fathers to these children?

Surely these women didn't have all those kids by themselves?

exactly that what i wanted to say before i even read your post!!!

where the guys ? mel walba haween iyo dalan ba ko rafadaya!!!