26 years ago our CEO @sabirzazai.bsky.social arrived in the UK. Here he tells the Daily Record about his challenging but inspiring journey uk.news.yahoo.com/dad-smuggled...

Sabir Zazai, CEO of Scottish Refugee Council, said: “We don’t have to go to Denmark to see how to treat refugees. The world should look to Scotland to see what we’ve achieved together.” @sabirzazai.bsky.social

Sabir Zazai, CEO of Scottish Refugee Council, said: “We don’t have to go to Denmark to see how to treat refugees. The world should look to Scotland to see what we’ve achieved together.” @sabirzazai.bsky.social

Leadership is not just about policy; it is about setting an example in every community…where communities are resourced, solidarity grows 🌱 - Dr @SabirZazai.bsky.social 🎉 Happy 40th Anniversary @ScotRefugeeCouncil.bsky.social 🎈 #AyeWelcomeRefugees 🧡 #TogetherWithRefugees #NewScots #UntilWeAllBelong

Scotland 4, Denmark 2. In Scotland we clearly refuse Danish model of asylum! #ScotlandvsDenmark

What a heartwarming story. The news should feature more stories like this!

Refugees bring opportunities and often turn their own experiences of suffering and loss into hope for others. Nahid's story is one of courage, resilience and hope. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

@sabirzazai.bsky.social "lessons have not been learned" "Home Office's approach to asylum accommodation - lack of planning, compassion and accountability"

My heart is full today 💜 as I join 200+ brave, thoughtful & determined women in #Scotland to challenge far right claims that their divisive and racist solutions are necessary to protect women & girls ✍🏽 “We believe in a society where all women are safe, supported and free from abuse”

First, they came for those seeking sanctuary. Then for those with settled status. Soon, they'll come for those with citizenship. If we don’t stop them, they'll come for us all. Racism thrives on division & fear but we've far more in common than they want us to believe. metro.co.uk/2025/09/22/r...

No one should live in fear; especially those seeking sanctuary, who carry deep scars of dreadful conflicts and traumatic experiences of perilous journeys to safety. www.bigissue.com/opinion/refu...

Scotland has always delivered on its promise and we @scotrefugeecouncil.bsky.social are ready to work with people fleeing global conflicts including those now arriving from Gaza? www.thenational.scot/news/2546896...

We stand in solidarity with people seeking safety and against acts of violence and intimidation taking place in parts of the country. Times are tough but people fleeing war and persecution are not to blame for Scotland’s problems. Everyone deserves to be safe and feel like they belong.

As our CEO, @sabirzazai.bsky.social said: “Words matter. We have to challenge misinformation, engage with communities, speak to those who have concerns, but at the same time engage with those seeking sanctuary. We need to work for a society where all of us feel safe and no one is living in fear.”

Cutting family reunion routes is heartless. For many, it’s the only safe route to be reunited with loved ones. Removing it pushes people into the hands of smugglers and perilous journeys. We need policies rooted in compassion, not cruelty. #FamiliesBelongTogether 🧡 share.google/HPpDrPZ51h94...

The path to safety is not paved with fear. It’s built through compassion. Over the past few weeks, like many others, I’ve felt the personal and professional weight of rising anti-refugee sentiment. When one community lives in fear, we all live in fear. This moment calls for courage and leadership.

That’s Sabir Zazai and I quite literally on the same page today in the today’s National (and no, there was no coordination) www.thenational.scot/politics/254... www.thenational.scot/politics/254...

500 pieces of welcome. While some piece together hate, I’m building belonging, one puzzle at a time. #AyeWelcomeRefugees #PartOfTheBiggerPicture 🧩

Love Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🧡!

Sadly I live too far away to attend the Cheltenham Book Festival and hear the three of you speak. However having read your powerful book "Anywhere but here" I am now ordering "We came by sea". @sabirzazai.bsky.social @alisonphipps.bsky.social

We are all part of a bigger picture. Let’s not allow hatred or misinformation to fracture the communities we’ve worked so hard to build. Now more than ever, we need truth, compassion, and solidarity to guide us forward. #partofthebiggerpicture 🧩

Thank you, First Minister @johnswinney.bsky.social for your leadership 🙏.

Happy 40th Birthday @scotrefugeecouncil.bsky.social . Congratulations to everyone past and present who have contributed so much to welcome refugees from many places, despite the hostile environment, over the last forty years. @sabirzazai.bsky.social @alisonphipps.bsky.social #AyeWelcomeRefugees

It's absolutely phenomenal to have so many pubs & restaurants being #partofthebiggerpicture🧩 Across sectors, people are playing their part in making Scotland a more welcoming & inclusive place - and we LOVE to see it! Give them a wee visit when you're out & about! HUGE THANKS to all involved!🧡

Although we welcome renewed dialogue between the UK and France on the issue of migration, another complex asylum deal is not the answer. The current system is broken. People seeking safety face a complicated, confusing and often arbitrary process which is founded on institutional hostility. 1/3

Utterly abhorrent far right behaviour. After the racist violence in Ballymena, there is no way to argue this isn't a hate crime designed to stoke violence against refugees. Everyone involved needs banging up and the bonfire ripped down before they can set it alight. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Thank you, Frankie Boyle. In Scotland, we take a whole society approach to welcome and support refugees. It takes all of us to work together to help people rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.

A jigsaw is not complete without all the pieces. Our staff & volunteers are an integral #PartoftheBiggerPicture ... and so are YOU! 😃🧩 Get your t-shirt here: scottishrefugeecouncil.bigcartel.com

We're delighted to have the backing of @mogwai.scot and many others in creating a Scotland where everyone sees themselves as #PartOfTheBiggerPicture. This reminds us we're not alone in the work we do to help refugees rebuild their lives in Scotland. Thank you 🙏.

Everyone seeking safety in Scotland should be made to feel welcome no matter where they came from or how they arrived. Join us in creating a more welcoming & inclusive society by displaying a #partofthebiggerpicture poster in your window! Print out, take a photo & tag us! 🧩📸 ow.ly/Gj7n50Wluk3

On #WorldRefugeeDay, we gathered in sunny Dundee for the Refugee Football Cup, a day of joy, unity and solidarity. Grateful to all who played their hearts out. Today wasn't just about trophies, but about building bridges across communities. 🏆🤝⚽ ##AyeWelcomeRefugees

Today, on #WorldRefugeeDay, we stand in solidarity with people seeking safety and dignity. For 40 years, @scotrefugeecouncil.bsky.social has championed hope, justice, and humanity, powered by Scotland’s warm welcome and enduring resolve. Together, we build a future where everyone belongs.

Another brilliant Refugee Festival Scotland event today at the Milk. Working with partners, we've planned walking tours to help explore Glasgow through the eyes of refugees. Thanks to Milk for the delicious food and hospitality. www.glasgowlive.co.uk/whats-on/wha...

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sir Geoff Palmer, a pioneering academic, tireless advocate for social justice, and a true champion of human rights. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. All of us at SRC extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

The evening is kicking off with a word from our CEO @sabirzazai.bsky.social "Human stories transcend politics ... Every headline represents a heartbeat."

Thank you @sutrscotland.bsky.social Today's summit reinforced we're neighbours, not "strangers". That change happens when communities come together, when we lift each other up, and when we refuse to let hate define our future. We must all join the march on WRD 21 June to say #AyeWelcomeRefugees

I've just heard our group of runners for @scotrefugeecouncil.bsky.social have almost raised a collective £15K!!! We are just under £500 off our target! My JustGiving page closes on Sunday... can we do it before?!! All shares/donations count! Thank you!! ❤️❤️❤️ www.justgiving.com/page/amy-mci...

Every step, every breath, every cheer. The heavy wind—not behind us, but mostly ahead—every drop of rain that turned into hailstorm, all worth it for #refugees at Edinburgh Marathon. Huge thanks to our supporters and fantastic team @scotrefugeecouncil.bsky.social. Please donate: ow.ly/TiEw50VPTWb

Please donate generously to support team @scotrefugeecouncil.bsky.social at the @edinburghmarathon.bsky.social tomorrow. Give us a cheer when you spot #AyeWelcomeRefugees t-shirts. 🧡 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

📢We were at the Scottish Parliament today giving evidence @SP_EHRCJ on civil legal aid reform. We highlighted urgent gaps in access to justice for refugees & people seeking asylum across Scotland — including poor solicitor availability, delays, and the impact of dispersal. #LegalAid #ScotPol

Spectacular sunset over Glasgow.

Dear Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, I arrived in the UK with no English. I worked, I learned, and today, I contribute to society, like countless others who took the same path. We were all once "strangers" but today we're proud citizens. 🧵

Migration isn’t about “undercutting Brits”. It’s about building our society. Net migration is largely driven by workers in the care sector and is essential for the UK. Very unfortunate language by the Prime Minister. Divisive rhetoric harms communities. Hope he remembers the riots of last summer.

Harsher immigration policies deepen the inquisition into those seeking safety and opportunity. Our politicians know well enough how important migration has been for our economy. Labour has the chance to end the politics of division and bring dignity back to migration. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Pick your side! Team Scottish Refugee Council vs Team Amiqus Two teams, one goal: to raise crucial funds to help refugees rebuild their lives here in Scotland. Who can raise the most? You decide! 🟡SRC - ow.ly/TiEw50VPTWb 🟢Amiqus - ow.ly/fWFQ50VPTWa The competition is ON! 🥇🏆

Sunsetmania! 😎

At a time of growing support for hostility & division, it’s important we stand together, unequivocally, for justice, peace & refugee rights. Love always prevails. Let's be the difference. Make a donation today. Your support matters & we can’t do it without you. Thank you! 🧡 ow.ly/b1Kb50VM4Eo

Exactly this - long, slow, hard, vital work of many New Scots; Old Scots and Middle-aged Scots but it’s a key reason and entirely evidence-based. And @sabirzazai.bsky.social & I should know. www.thenational.scot/news/2513570... pressreader.com/article/2814...

This sums the whole situation up quite nicely.

First #ParkRun in a while and that too at the beautiful Cunningar Loop. @amzomac.bsky.social and @shamrocknroll84.bsky.social I am sort of ready for the next @scotrefugeecouncil.bsky.social challenge 😁.