>Sisters who feared they would die while trying to flee violence in Afghanistan have told how Scotland has become their new home.
>Frishta and Farzana Matin said they had to leave or face persecution from the Taliban after they returned to power following the withdrawal of a US-led military coalition in August 2021.
>The women fled with Frishta’s husband Murtaza Barlas and their baby son Kia, along with their brother Zaker.
>The family have started a new life in Lewis, in the Western Isles, with help from local charity the Linda Norgrove Foundation.
>Farzana told BBC Alba’s Eòrpa programme: “Now Scotland is my home, and I want to be like people here.
>”I want to learn about people’s lives, people’s culture. I want to learn Gaelic.”
>Farzana said she wanted to do all these things while retaining her Afghan identity.
>The family are Hazara – an ethnic community at risk of persecution by the Taliban.
~
>Two years on, and the family have settled into island life, involving themselves in the local community and working in jobs.
>Farzana works for the Scottish Refugee Council helping others like herself.
>She has also been learning to ride a bike, while Frishta is taking driving lessons.
>She said: “I want to go to all of the beaches. I love seashells, to collect seashells.”
Beats living in that shit hole i can imagine
>She said: “I want to go to all of the beaches. I love seashells, to collect seashells.”
Lines like these, for me, are a reminder of how rarely the humanity and individuality of refugees is recognised in the press and how little they ask. To be free to go to beaches and collect seashells.
Great bunch of lads
I greatly appreciate people like this.
Like wanting to learn Gaelic? You go! Hats off.
That’s the sort of mentality that deserves the chance.
Thanks for sharing. Unfortunately the negative headlines are better clickbait and sell more papers.
6 comments
>Sisters who feared they would die while trying to flee violence in Afghanistan have told how Scotland has become their new home.
>Frishta and Farzana Matin said they had to leave or face persecution from the Taliban after they returned to power following the withdrawal of a US-led military coalition in August 2021.
>The women fled with Frishta’s husband Murtaza Barlas and their baby son Kia, along with their brother Zaker.
>The family have started a new life in Lewis, in the Western Isles, with help from local charity the Linda Norgrove Foundation.
>Farzana told BBC Alba’s Eòrpa programme: “Now Scotland is my home, and I want to be like people here.
>”I want to learn about people’s lives, people’s culture. I want to learn Gaelic.”
>Farzana said she wanted to do all these things while retaining her Afghan identity.
>The family are Hazara – an ethnic community at risk of persecution by the Taliban.
~
>Two years on, and the family have settled into island life, involving themselves in the local community and working in jobs.
>Farzana works for the Scottish Refugee Council helping others like herself.
>She has also been learning to ride a bike, while Frishta is taking driving lessons.
>She said: “I want to go to all of the beaches. I love seashells, to collect seashells.”
Beats living in that shit hole i can imagine
>She said: “I want to go to all of the beaches. I love seashells, to collect seashells.”
Lines like these, for me, are a reminder of how rarely the humanity and individuality of refugees is recognised in the press and how little they ask. To be free to go to beaches and collect seashells.
Great bunch of lads
I greatly appreciate people like this.
Like wanting to learn Gaelic? You go! Hats off.
That’s the sort of mentality that deserves the chance.
Thanks for sharing. Unfortunately the negative headlines are better clickbait and sell more papers.