An all-Italian story of integration: Kyare Khaled

Kyare Khaled è una giovane donna di origini egiziane e tunisine, che ha affrontato con determinazione le sfide dell’integrazione in Italia. Dopo aver conseguito una laurea e lavorato duramente per diventare indipendente, oggi è un’assistente di volo di successo. La sua è una storia di integrazione che ispira molti giovani musulmani di seconda generazione.

Poter raccontare storie positive nell’ottica di una società sempre più multiculturale e diversificata costituisce sempre un traguardo e ancor di più se le storie riguardano i giovani musulmani di seconda generazione.

La storia di Kyare Khaled, una ragazza di 31 anni, figlia di padre egiziano e madre tunisina, infonde speranza a molti ragazzi che quotidianamente affrontano problemi di integrazione nel tessuto sociale e lavorativo. Kyare è nata in Italia ed è cresciuta tra la provincia di Caserta e Milano, ha vissuto per 10 anni in Egitto, dove risiede il padre, e, all’età di 19 anni, rientrata in Italia, ha intrapreso il suo cammino per realizzare sogni, laureandosi a pieni voti all’Istituto Universitario “L’Orientale” di Napoli e lavorando per rendersi autonoma nonostante il supporto della famiglia.

Resourcefulness, tenacity and determination are the dominant characteristics of Kyare's personality. In her life she made important choices including that of removing her veil at the age of 26 which did not prevent her, however, from continuing to be a good observant, respectful and altruistic Muslim. A choice taken independently without constraints as the young woman says "I was going through an emotionally unsettled period of my life, the choice was mine alone, probably because I wanted to prove something to myself first, to be what I wanted to at that moment. Within a week, I took it off but I remained the Kyare I always had been".

Rolling up sleeves has never scared Kyare, who, thanks to the strength inherited from her mother, she managed to face hard times without ever giving up. During her studies she held various jobs including the profession of a caregiver and waitress. She wrote articles in Arabic and worked in companies dealing with international relations with the Arab world. The employment crisis that is raging in today's society does not always allow you to be able to choose the job you may like or that satisfies. But even in this case, the young Kyare showed courage to resign one day from a good job that she wore as a tight dress.

“I took a risk, I know, but I felt that that wasn't my path. I was out of work for months but I knew my future had to be elsewhere."

Kyare Khaled, speaks four languages, she loves her family and is well educated, joyful and above all independent girl. Today, Kyare is a flight attendant, with a permanent contract at one of the most influential national and international airlines. Getting married is mong her future projects.

Corinne Bove