Flag Day 2000: Family proud to be in U.S.

Antelope Valley Press June 14, 2000

By FRANKIE RICHARDS
Special to the Valley Press

LANCASTER - Today is Flag Day in America, but every day is Flag Day for Mohammed Islam and his wife, Nahar, who came to the Antelope Valley from Bangladesh.

A huge American flag hangs in the stairwell of their Lancaster home year-round, a symbol of the American dream they are now living. The couple looks at it daily to remind them how much they love life in this country. It has hung there for five years.

"Every day, every time I see that flag my feelings become more powerful," Mohammed, 41, said. "I love it, you know. I bought it from Costco in 1995 because we appreciate America. There is lots of love here." Mohammed said he paid $15 or $19 dollars for the flag and put it up himself. They never take it down.

The couple were born and raised in Bangladesh, a poor country with few luxuries, much different from the Antelope Valley. An area of only 55,526 square miles, Bangladesh is a land of poverty because of overpopulation and the effects of a war with Pakistan in 1971.

"We were living in a small world," Mohammed said. "We wanted to expand life, work and live with multi-people in America where there are better systems and more opportunity."

In March, 1983, Mohammed left his homeland for America and later sent for Nahar, 35. Following Indian tradition, she had been chosen by his parents to become his wife.

"We didn't choose each other," she said.

The two were married, started a new life together in Los Angeles and later moved to the Antelope Valley.

"We came here from a poor country with empty hands," Nahar said. "Life is good here, better than in countries all over the world. Thank you, God, and thank you, America.

"In America if you work hard, your dream can come true," Mohammed said. "If you dream, you can make it here. Everyone has the same opportunity; every citizen has the same rights."

This is not true in other countries of the world, he said. In America, laws are the same for everyone. In other countries, they are different for different types of people, he said.

In America it is hard to find native people who truly appreciate this promised land, Mohammed added. "We (from Bangladesh) have more feelings for the system, the people and the law."

Mohammed took a course in American history at the AV Adult School and plans to become an American citizen. Nahar became an American citizen in Los Angeles in 1990, she said.

Before immigrating to the United States, Mohammed managed a restaurant in Braden, Germany, for four years. He speaks German, English, Indian (Hindi), Pakistan (Urde) and Banglai, which he calls his "own language."

Mohammed's dark brown eyes sparkle as he talks about the American dream and how he and Nahar have come up from virtually nothing to comfort and luxury.

"If you live in a better system (America), you can have a better opportunity," he said. "You can go out and work better."

Today he manages a Mobil gas station at Avenue S and Sierra Highway in Palmdale, and his wife serves as the assistant manager.

"One person working is not enough," Mohammed said, stating they often work 10 or 12 hours a day so they can "have everything nice."

"I work hard and never waste money," Mohammed said.

The Islam couple bought their new two-story Palmdale home in 1995 and say it is "a dream come true," with its handsome new furniture, cool marble floors and Oriental rugs. Today their home looks like a palace, truly a showpiece of which to be proud and a comfortable place for their children to study. The American flag adds an extra touch of spirit.

"I feel like I own land," Mohammed said.

They have two children, Sadia, 10, and Salman, 8, who attend Lancaster Elementary School. Sadia plans to become a doctor, and her parents already are working and saving money to put her through medical school.

The couple, with their newly found life in the United States, also believe in helping others.

"Every month I send money to my mom and my brother in Bangladesh," Mohammed said. "I am helping. We have the feeling to help poor people."

They have learned and practice a philosophy which they believe can help others.

"I learned from my parents," Nahar said. "In Bangladesh we are very attached to families."

"Families are value," her husband added.

In addition to their large flag in the stairwell of their home, Mohammed has a small flag in his car to remind him of his appreciation of America.

"I look at it when I am driving," he said.

"I will never go away from here," Nahar added with a smile.

"We came here and worked hard and our dream came true," her husband said.