Support Mohamed's Journey To Freedom

3 years ago my life changed forever. In the craziest and most movie like way ever. I was scrolling on my Instagram and came across a handsome and kind looking man with the best smile. He exuded so much joy and warmth and it made me want to find out more about him.

I commented on his photo and went about my day as normal. A few hours later I got a reply. A few days later we had been talking what felt like non stop. A few months later began to realize that we had a crazy and beautiful connection that was undeniable. It would change both of us forever.

Mohamed lives in Egypt. The first time I visited I was in awe of the architecture and history. The food was amazing. The culture was rich. But there was a heaviness that I felt. Something that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

Mohamed is Half Egyptian and Half Palestinian. He told me so many stories About how his father was treated as a second hand citizen, he was even denied proper cancer treatment because he was Palestinian. This ultimately led to his death. After his father died he was never able to look at Egypt the same. He begged God for a way out and tried several times to travel to a safer and better place but was unable to.

On top of everything, Mohamed is a gay man living in a place where it is very unsafe to be gay. He and the entire gay community has to live in constant fear of imprisonment, being shunned and even death for being gay.

The more and more I got to know

Mohamed, I was in awe of him. He always chose to be positive. To see the light instead of the dark. For anybody lucky enough to meet Mohamed, they will be forever changed by his incredible warmth and goodness. Despite all of his setbacks. Despite the very difficult card he has been dealt. He still chooses gratefulness.

I fell in love with this absolute gem of a human and knew that I had to do everything I could to give him the opportunity to live a free and happy life. A life where he can be proud of being gay and Palestinian.

A year and a half ago, we started the journey of getting him a K-1 visa after he was denied a tourist visa to come and visit me.

There have been so many peaks and valleys in this journey. But finally after 3 years Mohamed was just approved to come here, with me as his sponsor (obviously) :)

We FaceTimed the other day and he told me with tears in his eyes that this was the best day of his life and to be honest it was one of the days of my life too.

This journey is far less about OUR story as it his about HIS story.

For the first time in his life, Mohamed is going to be able to be himself. For the first time in his life he is going to be able to dream and make plans without having to hide massive parts of his identity.

He is so worthy and deserving of this and I can’t wait to welcome him with love and support from myself, my friends and give him community for the first time in his life.

I am creating this Go fund me so that we can start of this journey with ease and allow him to experience America for the first time.

This money will go to his

plane ticket, lawyer fees, a few months expenses since he will not be able to work for the first few months. Travel, and just setting up a decent and good new life here.

Mohamed is leaving everything. His mother is ill and they don’t know how much longer she has. He is coming to a completely foreign place and I want to be able to have his first year here as stress free as possible.

We need your help to make this a reality. If you resonate with this story at all. Please give. I want him to feel the love and support from all around the world. So if you donate, even anonymously. Please say where you are from so that he can feel the love ❤️❤️

thank you in advance for your generosity. I am praying and believing that this will be successful

Jonathan