A marine engineer in India sharing the name with former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has been refused a job 40 times. The 25-year-old has now gone to court to change his name to Sajid. However, he’s still unable to secure a job.
Two years after passing out from Tamil Nadu’s Noorul Islam University, Saddam Hussain says he has failed to find a job because of his namesake: the former Iraqi ruler executed in 2006. Saddam Hussein was a dictator blamed for atrocities on his subjects until toppled by the US in 2003.
Even though Saddam-now-Sajid did well at college, shipping companies turned him away because of his name. “People are scared to hire me,” he said. According to him, employers tend to fear complications from immigration officials across international borders.
Saddam thought he might overcome this issue by getting a new passport, driving license and more but his job applications are still not proceeding as he cannot provide proof of going to school under his new name.
Another court hearing is due to take place on May 5 to force authorities to change his name on secondary school certificates as well, after which his graduation papers will need amending.
Saddam-now-Sajid is left to spend sleepless nights. “I am an innocent victim of somebody else’s crimes,” he says.
Courtesy: Hindustan Times