"Assisted in everything": A resident of Shymkent shares the story of his family, who were deported from Chechnya.
"My family - my grandparents - were children of deported Chechens. My grandmothers and grandfathers were brought here from the Chechen Republic at a young age - 13-15 years old. On February 23, 1944, at 6 a.m., they were taken from the Varandoy village, while another grandfather was taken from the Shatoi district. They traveled for about a week or two and ended up here. ", - recalls Shuddin.
The journey was difficult - my grandmother fell ill with typhus, her sister died on the way, and then her brother and mother disappeared. Later, they managed to find her mother in Temirtau, but the fate of her brother remains unknown to this day. A similar story happened with her grandfather's family - relatives lost each other.
"They recounted how they traveled by train without food or any conditions. When someone died on the way, they were simply thrown out onto the street and buried in the snow. My grandmother said that the train stopped in the Tulkubas district at the Sastobe station, and they were literally thrown out there.
The relatives didn't know where they had ended up, saw people on horses, and started asking them. The Kazakhs already knew that someone was being transported, but they were told that they were bringing some criminals. However, after talking to the newcomers, they understood the situation they found themselves in. My grandfather grew up in the village of Kyzyltu in the Tulkubas district in a Kazakh family," - says Shuddin.
As he grew older, the deported Chechen youth went to study, started working, and created a family. Shuddin Saidov is convinced that without the support and assistance of the local population, those who were forcibly taken from their homeland would have simply perished.
"My family said that the Kazakhs welcomed them with open arms and gave them the opportunity to live. They helped with everything - food, housing, work. And how many Chechen children, who were left without parents, were adopted by Kazakhs? This is simply countless.
Of course, it was a bit easier for them to adapt since both ethnicities practice Islam, and many traditions are similar. Kazakhstan welcomed them more than well and provided almost everything, considering that they themselves lived in difficult conditions at that time," - shares the young man.
He notes that he is overwhelmed with emotions, especially on significant days like the Day of Gratitude and February 23.
"On this day, I thank everyone - my colleagues, neighbors, teachers, and the entire Kazakh people. Why? Because I am not a guest here - I belong here. This nation shows deep respect, and I reciprocate the same. For example, in Chechnya, if you say you are from Kazakhstan, you will definitely be invited home and provided with everything.
February 23 was the Day of Remembrance for those deported from Chechen land, and people of different nationalities came to express condolences and words of support. Those around us treat our culture and traditions with great care. We reciprocate in kind. For instance, my mother loves Kazakh clothing, we listen to Kazakh music, observe Kazakh traditions, and speak Kazakh fluently.
Sometimes my mother jokes that she no longer understands whether we are Kazakhs or Chechens. But at the same time, we strictly honor Chechen traditions, and the Kazakhs respect that," - shares a resident of Shymkent.
Today, he is building a career and assures that he lives in a wonderful country.
"I recently wrote a post saying that Kazakhs are the kind of people whom the Almighty has stroked and said: 'You are created to help.' That's my perception. There are moments when completely unfamiliar people help me, showing incredible kindness and respect!" - concluded Shuddin.