Entisar Jafar & Motasim "Mo" Ali Family

About the family: Motasim "Mo" Ali and Entisar Jafar live hopeful lives for many reasons: they have two boys and one baby girl; they’ve left their lives in Sudan to seek opportunity and security in America; and soon, they’ll have their own home, one where they can still keep in touch with their Arabic culture, despite being thousands of miles away.

Years ago, Mo worked as a lawyer in Sudan, while Entisar was a secretary working for a fellow lawyer of Mo’s. They both used to make the 40 minute commute to work each day in a carpool van together, and although the van was only filled with handful of people, the two had never met. It wasn’t until they were introduced to one another by Entisar’s boss that they began their lives together.

Throughout the following two years, the two dated and then in 2001, Entasar received a visa to visit her aunt in Texas. Entasar realized she wanted to stay in America to better her life for her family and sought asylum. However, on September 6, 2001, she received a letter from immigration stating her request had been denied and she had to move back to Sudan.

Distraught that her dreams were rejected, she appealed to immigration and the judge granted her one more month in America to stay and contest. If at any time in that one month immigration sent another letter to her, she would have to leave the country.

Days later, the tragic September 11th occurred that changed the country. Despite the dreadful destruction and heartrending loss of loved ones, Entasar found hope in this day: while Immigration dealt with the aftermath, they never ended up sending her an appeal letter. And by the court, she was allowed to stay in America to begin laying the foundation for her family’ new life.

In December 2002, Entisar visited her family in Sudan and married Mo on January 2, 2003. While Mo waited for a green card to move to the United States, Entisar came back to visit a friend in Iowa City. Encouraged by her friend, Entisar applied to the Iowa City Wal-Mart, and when hired, made the city her new home. She began making roots in the city, and Mo joined her in the US shortly after when he received his green card – just a year after sending in his application.

The couple, determined to make their lives in America they best they could be, started from scratch, working hard and saving money. “In our community (in Sudan), if you have a house that means you’re successful,” Mo explained. “We don’t want to be in a contract and keep moving, changing addresses and neighbors. That’s too much change for our family to be secure.”

Entisar, who is now getting her certificate in the Dental Technician program at Kirkwood Community College, and Mo, a full-time machine operator at Alpla, said they are looking forward to having their own home to stay connected to Sudan. When renting, past landlords have never allowed them to use a satellite dish for television, which is the only way they can receive the Arabic television station. Entisar said she wants her kids to grow up and understand their background, and even though it seems like such a small request, she’ll finally be bridged to her culture with a house of her own.

The family has always been hopeful, but even moreso since being accepted as a partner family with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity. They’re looking forward to growing as a family and living comfortably. “My kids can be kids,” Entisar said while wrapping her hands around her stomach and her soon-to-be newborn child. “Neighbors give them a hard time saying ‘You have to be quiet.’ …My kids had to change who they were. Now they can be comfortable in their house.”

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