The past couple days have found me making visits to the Ministry of Home Affairs. When I came to Swaziland, I got a 6-month residence permit because a 1-year permit required a police clearance (and I have no idea what that is). So it was set to expire soon, and I needed to apply for a renewal. That's what occasioned my entrance into the Home Affairs building.
The hallways were full of people waiting in lines in darkness because the lightbulbs have been removed (probably for use in the offices). So we slowly move forward in poorly-defined lines until we get to an office where they tell us that we really need to be in another office. Anyway, I did get my application in and I have my 1-month temporary residence permit.
But much more interesting than the government work was the line itself. I waited for a long while next to a man named Atif. He's originally from Pakistan, but he spent 9 years in South Africa and now his job moved him here. It was very interesting to talk to him. He wanted me to know that the common people in Pakistan aren't responsible for what the government officials do, and that Islam condemns violence. I wanted him to know that not all Americans are crazy either and that I have no problem with the people of the Greater Middle East.
It was a good reminder that people really aren't much different. Governments will continue to posture and threaten, militaries will attempt to improve and secure national interests, but that's not really what the average person is worried about. We're worried about what will happen to our jobs next year, and whether our kids are getting a good education, and about how much we'll need to pay for housing. Atif was more concerned with Swazi immigration policy than with the fact that my country has been launching military strikes into his country. And I shared his priorities.
-Ben
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