Among the refugees who tried and failed to cross there was palpable anger and disappointment that their
lives were being used as pawns in high-stakes geopolitical games.
I want to go to a more intellectual society. In the name of religion or faith, or in the name of ethnicity and
tribe, they cut each other’s heads off
“The president who drew us all here should find us some housing,” said Sara Raimi, an 18-year-old Afghan
refugee, who gave up her housing and quickly sold off her belongings in the Turkish city of Denizli to come
to Doyran. “We’re very angry. He said the border was open. Since he said everything is open, he should
find us a home again.”
Still, many of the refugees say they remain hopeful that the borders would open soon. Maybe Angela
Merkel would make an announcement. As Turkish television channels film them, a group of perhaps 50
hold a demonstration while facing the Greek side of the river. “Open the border!” they chant. “Open the
border!”
Reza Dowlati is more hopeful than angry. He yearns to get to Germany, to join his brother there. His
teenage son knows how to work computers, he says, and can find work in the west. He bristles at the
suggestion that he and the others have put their children at risk by giving up their precarious but secure
lives in eastern Turkey for the perilous journey across the border.
“The reason we are here is for the children,” he says. “It’s all so they and have a better life. I want to go to a
more intellectual society. In the name of religion or faith, or in the name of ethnicity and tribe, they cut
each other’s heads off. I want to go to Europe because there will be a little more security and a place where
my children can study.”