Fatima (left) and Sheikhmous (right) speaking to Rudaw in Hanover, Germany. Photo: Rudaw
HANOVER, Germany - Sheikhmous Tekkal left his village in Turkey's southeastern province of Diyarbakir (Amed) over 50 years ago. His family could not join him for a dozen years due to restrictions on migrations. The Yazidi family has gained significant fame in Germany and one of his daughters is a prominent activist.
Recounting his first days in Germany, Sheikhmous told Rudaw that he worked as a truck driver at the time and was easily accepted by the German community.
During the interview, the writer explains how she and his wife, Fatima, tried hard to make sure that their 11 children would have a nice future in a foreign country, encouraging them to pursue their studies and goals despite discouraging remarks from their relatives.
Duzen Tekkal, their daughter, is a prominent figure in Germany. Last year, she received Theodor Heuss Prize for her work on the rights of minorities.
On April 20, 2024, she posted a photo of herself with her parents on X, with Sheikhmous holding the award in his hands with a smile on his face.
"It is a special honor for me to accept the 59th Theodor Heuss Prize 2024 in the presence of my parents for my work for #freedom, #democracy, and the rights of #minorities," she said.
Duzen's voice has been heard in international forums. Along with establishing the Hawar organization for humanitarian work, she continues on her father's path and has produced three documentaries about the Yazidi genocide of 2014.
Sheikhmous advises parents not to restrict their children.
"My advice to parents is not to restrict their children. Whenever children are restricted, that child becomes an enemy to their parents. I've seen this a lot in our families and among our friends and acquaintances. But I didn't restrict my children and told them to study and do sports. I even bought them a house in Hamburg because their school was there. Although my close relatives teasingly told me how my daughters can live alone in a house far from me and that they should instead get married and have children, it's better, but I didn't listen to them," he said.
Recounting his first days in Germany, Sheikhmous told Rudaw that he worked as a truck driver at the time and was easily accepted by the German community.
During the interview, the writer explains how she and his wife, Fatima, tried hard to make sure that their 11 children would have a nice future in a foreign country, encouraging them to pursue their studies and goals despite discouraging remarks from their relatives.
Duzen Tekkal, their daughter, is a prominent figure in Germany. Last year, she received Theodor Heuss Prize for her work on the rights of minorities.
On April 20, 2024, she posted a photo of herself with her parents on X, with Sheikhmous holding the award in his hands with a smile on his face.
"It is a special honor for me to accept the 59th Theodor Heuss Prize 2024 in the presence of my parents for my work for #freedom, #democracy, and the rights of #minorities," she said.
Duzen's voice has been heard in international forums. Along with establishing the Hawar organization for humanitarian work, she continues on her father's path and has produced three documentaries about the Yazidi genocide of 2014.
Sheikhmous advises parents not to restrict their children.
"My advice to parents is not to restrict their children. Whenever children are restricted, that child becomes an enemy to their parents. I've seen this a lot in our families and among our friends and acquaintances. But I didn't restrict my children and told them to study and do sports. I even bought them a house in Hamburg because their school was there. Although my close relatives teasingly told me how my daughters can live alone in a house far from me and that they should instead get married and have children, it's better, but I didn't listen to them," he said.
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