Afghans in the West Midlands: Wednesday 29 September and Saturday 2 October 2010

Report of two meetings of Afghans living in the West Midlands, held to find out what their issues and concerns were with regards to life in the UK and the current situation in Afghanistan.

Almost 30 people were invited to attend a meeting on the evening of Wednesday 29 September at the Ladywood Community Centre in Birmingham, but due to an accident in Birmingham and the ensuing rush hour traffic chaos, many were unable to get there. However, the small group of 13 people present were able to raise important issues affecting the lives of Afghan people in their communities and their concerns about their homeland.

Excellent food was provided by a local restaurant and, after the meal, Fahim Behzaad welcomed those present and introduced the evening; everyone said where they were from and who they represented. They had travelled from Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry and Walsall.

David Redman, working with Afghan Action on attachment from the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber, spoke about engaging with the Government and statutory authorities (health, education, young people etc) and also about how groups might explore the idea of an application to the Big Lottery Fund for developing their work. He stressed the need for local involvement and commitment and emphasised the value of working in partnership with others.

Chris Beales, Chief Executive of Afghan Action, spoke about the “Building Bridges” programme, which started in January 2010 with three year funding from the Government’s Department for International Development.  The aim, he said, is to raise awareness about Afghanistan and involve Afghan people in sharing their experiences and understanding with the wider community. Part of the work also involves supporting Afghan groups and helping them engage with their local authorities and local organisations and people.

Those present then described the obstacles they face, highlighting the need for greater co-operation between the different Afghan groups and initiatives in Birmingham and the surrounding cities and areas. There is no focal point recognised by the whole Afghan community for people to gather or turn to for support and advice. Obtaining financial support for this has proved difficult, though there are some good projects and some very committed and hardworking people who give generously of their time and skills.

Noor Safi, Chair of the Society of Afghan Residents in the Midlands, said that space at the Birmingham City Council Refugee Centre could be used temporarily as a community resource for Afghans and the others agreed to contribute every week some hours of their time towards building up the Afghan community across the West Midlands.

It was agreed at the end of the meeting to gather again the following weekend with other community leaders and representatives being invited. The meeting was arranged for Saturday 2 October.

On 2 October, 13 people gathered with Fahim at the restaurant – many of them new faces – and another excellent discussion took place, continuing to explore ways of bringing the Afghan community together and helping to support people. It was generally agreed that the Afghan community was not cohesive and well integrated needed to set some practical goals and then move forward together.

Everyone was grateful to Noor Safi for his offer of a community centre and he and Kabir Khan Isakzai, a lawyer who also runs an Afghan community organisation, agreed to work together towards the next stage of development.

Afghan Action, through Fahim Behzaad, will continue to work with Afghan groups and networks, the aim being to support them where possible to achieve their goal of developing an integrated and effective Afghan community in the West Midlands. He will also work to engage them with the wider community of the West Midlands, in particular with faith groups, businesses and the media, in order to raise awareness about and increase understanding of what is happening in Afghanistan and how to help create a positive future for the country.

For more information about Afghan Action’s work in the West Midlands, please contact the office on 020 7870 0010.