Begum Ali, 41 years old: “We are very happy that we ended up in Hungary. We love this country and want to stay here. This is why we opened our restaurant.”

“I have great trust in Hungarian people. Whenever we have had difficulties so far, there were always some friends around who helped us. And I believe the same people or others will help in the future, too.”

“It is a fantastic feeling to cook for Hungarians. I am always moved when they like my Bangladeshi meals. One day a man came for take-away food. He asked what was tasty. A young couple dining in the restaurant replied there no need to ask — everything was superb. I was so happy to hear it.”

“Once our restaurant picks up speed I would definitely like to open a bigger one. But only in Budapest, nowhere else. This is a wonderful city.”

Begum Ali, 41, and her husband, Moshahid, 46, fled Bangladesh some twenty years ago when political violence rocked their village and took the lives of Moshahid’s father and other relatives. She was eight months pregnant with Ferdous, their eldest child. He was born in Pakistan, their first country of refuge, as were their daughter, 17-year-old Lutfa and younger son, 15-year-old Kalam.

After four years in Pakistan, however, violence forced the family to flee again — to Iran, Turkey, then to Greece. The family spent nine years in Athens, without getting refugee status, so were thrilled to be recognized as refugees only eight months after they arrived in Hungary in February 2013.

Money borrowed from friends enabled the family to open their tiny downtown restaurant, Begum All Modina, a marriage of her first name and “Al Modina,” with a unique touch added by a painter’s typo. Naming a business after the second holiest city in Islam is a Bangladeshi tradition said to ensure success.

“I have imagined several times, that I might work together with some Hungarians in my restaurant,” says Begum Ali with a cheerful laugh. “It would be great to have the chance to get to know more Hungarians closely this way, and to learn the language with their help.”

Refugees. Ordinary people living through extraordinary times. Share their stories.