Meet Ahmad Suliman Hamidi — a 26-year-old refugee from Kabul, Afghanistan, and a living example of the American dream 🇺🇸✨
Ahmad arrived in the United States in 2021 at just 21 years old after serving as security for the Afghan army, working alongside American forces to defend his country against the Taliban after their takeover in August of 2021, with Ahmad escaping just 2 days later. His journey in America began in a refugee camp in New Jersey before he made Providence his home in 2021.
From the moment he arrived, Ahmad got to work. He learned English in just a few months, adding it to the languages he already speaks—Dari, Persian, and Pashto—and earned his driver’s license within weeks. He became a certified roadside mechanic, went on to manage Kingston Auto Service at 1880 Kingston Road in Wakefield, RI, and built real success in the auto industry through buying and reselling cars and then becoming a certified Rhode Island Vehicle Inspector.
Seeing opportunity where others might not, Ahmad took the next big step. Alongside two other Afghan community members, he recently purchased a Providence Bagel location—joining four other stores across the area. Guided by a love of everything bagels with egg and cheese, they took a chance and made it their own.
Even if it were safe to return to Afghanistan, Ahmad says he would stay here. “This is the land of opportunity,” he shares. He is deeply grateful to be building his life in the U.S. and proud to stand as proof that with hard work, smart investment, and big dreams, anything is possible.
Ahmad’s story is resilience, determination, and hope—and a reminder of what welcoming refugees truly makes possible.