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Age: 22
Community: Iraq
Languages: Arabic, English, many Arabic dialects
Hobbies: School work
Favourite cultural artists: singer Abd-Al halem Hafez, Om-Kalthom
Favourite traditional foods: Kubbah , Kunafa
(from the 2008 CIA World Factbook)
Name: Iraq
Population: 27,499,638 (July 2007 est.)
Capital: Baghdad
Languages: Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian
Area: 437,072 sq km
Agriculture products and Industry: wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep, poultry, petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing
Government: Parliamentary Democracy
Zaid was born in Iraq. He lived in various refugee camps in different African countries before arriving in Canada.
Audio (2:06)
It's normal for middle-easterners to sleep on the floor. Zaid continued to do this when he moved to Canada. He also talks about memories he has of his youth.
Audio (0:58)
Zaid talks about his first day in Winnipeg.
Audio (0:57)
Food is an integral part of any culture. Here, Zaid describes Iraqi food - Kubbah and Kunafa.
Audio (1:43)
Language is also very important to any culture. Here, Zaid says a few words in his mother tongue - Arabic.
Audio (0:20)
How does Zaid think other people view Middle-Easterners?
Audio (0:56)
And how does Zaid view the Aboriginal culture?
Audio (0:53)
There are certain difficulties for middle-easterners and newcomers in general when immigrating to Canada.
Audio (1:05)
Zaid is very proud of one thing in his life.
Audio (1:08)