Former Guantánamo Detainee Celebrates First Ramadan with Family in Belize
On the 15th night of Ramadan in a suburb of Belize City, Majid Khan and his family of four sat down for a traditional iftar meal to break the daylight hours fast. This was a momentous occasion for the family, as it marked their first Ramadan together in their new adoptive homeland of Belize.
Majid Khan, a former courier for Al Qaeda, spent two decades separated from his wife Rabia and daughter Manaal due to his involvement in terrorist activities. After being held prisoner by the United States, tortured by the C.I.A., and imprisoned at Guantánamo Bay, he pleaded guilty and became a government cooperator.
Now, reunited with his family in Belize, Majid is facing new challenges as he tries to integrate into his new community. Despite his past, he is determined to make things right and build a better future for his family.
However, obstacles remain, such as finding health care for the damage he suffered in C.I.A. custody and establishing his import business of terra cotta pots. Additionally, due to his past, he has been unable to open a bank account in Belize.
Despite these challenges, Majid remains optimistic and sees the next chapter of his life as an opportunity for redemption. He is grateful for the chance to be with his family again and is determined to make the most of it.
As the family navigates their new life in Belize, they are faced with both mundane matters and larger struggles. But through it all, they remain united and hopeful for a brighter future together.
