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Syrian refugees rebuild their lives in Istanbul

Since the outbreak of Syria’s war in 2011, Turkey has welcomed more than three million Syrian refugees.

Success stories among the Syrian community in Istanbul
"The music gave me my soul back," says Maisa, founder of the Istanbul Mosaic Oriental Choir, which rehearses in a church on Istiklal Street every Thursday evening. For two hours, they sing in Turkish, Arabic, Kurdish, Greek and Farsi. The choir is regularly called upon to perform at events related to the Syrian cause. [Marie Tihon/Al Jazeera]
By Marie Tihon
Published On 21 Jul 2017

Istanbul, Turkey– Taib launched a real estate investment company. Jasmine is completing a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering. Maisa, who is passionate about music, has created a choir, while Reem provides psychological help to fellow Syrians.

All live in Istanbul and speak Turkish fluently, and all are Syrian refugees.

Since the outbreak of Syria’s war in 2011, Turkey has welcomed more than three million Syrian refugees, but their coexistence with the local population is not always easy, as tensions fester over the ensuing demographic and socioeconomic pressures. Living conditions for Syrian refugees are often difficult, but many have overcome these challenges to push for a brighter future.

Al Jazeera visited members of the Syrian community in Istanbul to discover how they are rebuilding their lives.

READ MORE: Sirkhane Social Circus School helps refugee children in Turkey

Success stories among the Syrian community in Istanbul
Maisa has been giving private music lessons for two years to Ashton, an English boy. His family was the first to have responded to her Facebook offer for private lessons. Today, she considers them part of her own family, she says. [Marie Tihon/Al Jazeera]
Success stories among the Syrian community in Istanbul
Maisa organises monthly distributions of toys for Syrian children who live in poor neighbourhoods of Istanbul. Before giving them small gift packages, she sings famous Syrian songs with them. "If I give more, it inspires me and I receive more," Maisa says. [Marie Tihon/Al Jazeera]
Success stories among the Syrian community in Istanbul
Reem, 32, has been living in Istanbul for four years. She was forced to relocate to Turkey because the Syrian regime threatened her over her activism at home. She dedicates her free time to a psychological help centre for Syrians. Reem recently organised a puppet show at a local book fair, telling the children how reading can help them to help their communities. [Marie Tihon/Al Jazeera]
Success stories among the Syrian community in Istanbul
Reem volunteers at a workshop aiming to instill confidence in young Syrian girls. At the end, all participants write the other girls' qualities on paper and share them to help boost each other's self-confidence. [Marie Tihon/Al Jazeera]
Success stories among the Syrian community in Istanbul
Reem and other volunteers participate in Istanbul's annual marathon. They recently helped 12 people with disabilities to cross the finish line. On the road, they all shout: "Ode to Syria". [Marie Tihon/Al Jazeera]
Success stories among the Syrian community in Istanbul
Taib left Damascus for Istanbul in 2012. Today, he has become the head of a real estate company, working with six other Syrian friends. [Marie Tihon/Al Jazeera]
Success stories among the Syrian community in Istanbul
Taib managed to help his younger brother, Zaid, to escape from Syria, avoiding his military service. They now live together in a beautiful apartment in Bahcesehir, a residential area on the outskirts of Istanbul. [Marie Tihon/Al Jazeera]
Success stories among the Syrian community in Istanbul
Taib recently met Zerrin, a young Turkish woman. As he speaks Turkish perfectly, they were able to discuss various topics. Here, Taib explains that he is working to assist Syrian refugees in Turkey. [Marie Tihon/Al Jazeera]
Success stories among the Syrian community in Istanbul
Jasmine, 24, is passionate about her studies as an environmental engineer. When she was forced to stop studying at the university in Aleppo in 2013, she immediately decided to find a solution in Turkey, where she was accepted at the University of Istanbul. [Marie Tihon/Al Jazeera]
Success stories among the Syrian community in Istanbul
Jasmine volunteers at the Yusra Community Centre, which provides support to refugee families in Istanbul. She teaches Turkish to Syrian children twice a week. [Marie Tihon/Al Jazeera]
Success stories among the Syrian community in Istanbul
Jasmine speaks on the phone with her father, who works between Syria and Bahrain to ensure the survival of his family. In Turkey, he could not find a job because of the language barrier. Jasmine says she misses her father dearly, and wishes to see her family reunited again. [Marie Tihon/Al Jazeera]