Voices of Vision on 07/15/25

Our guest this week is Shaymaa Alquriqchee, an Iraqi-American, owns the DarSalam restaurant. She arrived in the U.S. in 2014 as a refugee after fleeing war and traveling through several countries in search of safety. She holds a computer science degree from Iraq, where she studied during wartime without access to a computer, learning by candlelight with pen and paper. Now based in Portland, Shaymaa is a mother of two and a dedicated advocate for women, refugees, and immigrant communities. She helps newly arrived refugees adjust to life in the U.S., and works to empower women and build bridges between cultures through storytelling, leadership, and compassion. Her journey is a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of community.