Muhammad’s family, which left Pakistan looking for better living conditions, settled in Portugal. The eight -year -old was selected to participate in the World Mental Calculation Championship, which takes place in Germany, but the difficulties in obtaining residence permit in Portugal endangers their participation.
Before the conversation, Asad and Aisha serve a traditional Pakistani lunch. They left their country for almost two years and came to Portugal with a clear dream: to have a better life and raise their children in a safe country.
“We found very good people”
They are both software engineers and now live in Elvas, with their two children. The adaptation was easy, says the couple, thanks to the “sympathy and kindness” of the Portuguese people.
“We are very lucky, we found very good people, especially the school staff,” says Aisha.
It is difficult to obtain residence permit. Asad already has yours. It took a year and it was necessary a lawsuit that led AIMA to accelerate the appointment.
Soon after they made the request to Aisha and the two children, but 90 days later, not an answer. They asked the lawyer again and now have a scheduling.
Muhammad was invited to tournament in Germany
The concern is now with the eldest son, Muhammad Xerxes, a genius of mathematics. It was only 4 years old that he started to like to play with numbers.
He first participated in the World Juvenile Mental Calculation Championship in Germany at age 6. The competition accepts only children above 8, but was selected by their exceptional abilities.
It was again chosen to participate this year. But without residence permission, it cannot leave Portugal.
