GENERAL CONFERENCE

‘Someone at the other end’: Utahns provide safe haven for Afghan refugees

Mar 28, 2022, 6:40 PM | Updated: Jun 18, 2022, 8:43 pm

SALT LAKE CITY — In the past six months, Utah has welcomed nearly 900 refugees from Afghanistan. Gov. Spencer Cox calls it the largest resettlement in our states history.

It’s the topic of one of KSL’s specials airing during General Conference weekend.

We all remember the shocking scene at the Kabul Airport last August. With the Taliban take over, Afghans who worked with the U.S. military or government were desperate to escape. 

Javid Ekhlas, his wife and two young children were among those who came to Utah.

Now, we are so comfortable here. It’s really nice for us now because day by day, we are familiar with the people, we are familiar with the places.”

Utah has two resettlement agencies that have taken the lead in helping these refugees.

Gov. Cox reaffirms Utah’s commitment to Afghan refugees

Natalie El-Deiry is the executive director of The International Rescue Committee

“It’s an incredible network of support and partnership that we benefit from. And that helps create a really strong fabric of support and networking for the poor refugees coming into Utah,” she said.

Aden Batar is the refugee services director for Catholic Community Services.

“And our community also has the depth, and also the big heart, to help those that have been persecuted and looking for a place to start a new life.”

Many Utahns have volunteered their time, loading moving vans with furniture and delivering those pieces to apartments for the refugees. Some are helping them settle in long-term, willing to spend months, even years, with them. 

Shelby Dunn is a volunteer with Catholic Community Services.

“I think their objectives are to give their children a life, and they want to be able to do that with their own independence.”

The governor and Mrs. Cox have stepped forward to help personally and support efforts on a state level.

“It’s core to who we are. I love living in a state that cares about these things. It’s part of our history,” he said. 

Abby Cox agreed, “Utahns want to give back. We’ve had people, so many people, reach out and say how can I help? How can I help? And we were guiding them to these to these organizations that are doing really powerful work.”

People of many faiths have assisted. The refugees can find clothing, furniture, jobs, and English classes at Deseret Industries.

Jean B. Bingham is Relief Society General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“They’ve tried to make a good life in a place that they did not choose themselves. And so, the more we love, the more we can reach out to others and share what we have. Then, we become a real community.”

And most welcoming are Afghans themselves, those who came to Utah years ago, like Wali Arshad Salem, owner of Afghan Kitchen.

“I hope that I could give them, you know a little bit of hospitality that they had in Afghanistan, first slice of the Afghan culture to them.”

They all believe, it is the beginning of a new home.   

Join us for “Someone at the Other End” Saturday, April 2 at 1:30 p.m. on KSL TV and live-streaming on the KSL TV app.

KSL 5 TV Live

General Conference

FILE: In an aerial view, burned cars and homes are seen a neighborhood that was destroyed by a wild...

Ashley Moser

‘Everybody needed that news’: Maui members celebrate announcement of island’s first temple

It has been nearly two months since Hailey Chang’s hometown of Lahaina was destroyed by wildfires. Not a day goes by that she doesn’t think about what her community has lost.

2 months ago

FILE: Attendees at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Conference Center....

Eliza Pace

20 new temples announced during October 2023 General Conference

The locations of 20 new temples were announced during the 193rd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

2 months ago

The Joseph Smith Papers is the result of a 22-year study by researchers who decided to pursue every...

Angie Denison

Joseph Smith: A Witness of Jesus Christ

This documentary reveals The Joseph Smith Papers, an unprecedented study of every historical document produced under the direction of Joseph Smith. With researchers working over the past 22 years, the project is finally complete and released in a multivolume set.

2 months ago

The Osmonds: Faith, Family, and Fame is a documentary celebrating the amazing contributions the Osm...

Carole Mikita

The Osmonds: Faith, Family and Fame

The Osmonds is a documentary that gives a behind-the-scenes look inside the iconic Osmond Family. Through rare archival footage and interviews, the segment is a tribute and celebration of the remarkable contributions the family made to music, entertainment, and the world at large.

2 months ago

Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Prime Minister of Samoa, at Brigham Young University. (KSL TV)...

Tamara Vaifanua

Samoa Prime Minister gets a warm welcome to Utah during conference weekend

The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invited Samoa’s Prime Minister to visit our beautiful state.

2 months ago

...

Dan Rascon and Angie Denison, KSL TV

HOPE: The Tabernacle Choir World Tour

This documentary offers an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the iconic Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square as it embarked on a momentous world tour, with Mexico as its inaugural destination.

2 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

‘Someone at the other end’: Utahns provide safe haven for Afghan refugees