Falkirk rallies show stark divide: solidarity with asylum seekers faces hate, threats and rising far-right hostility, yet hope for unity endures | Sadia Sikandar

New UK migration rules double settlement time, risking decades of family separation and leaving asylum seekers in prolonged fear and heartbreak | Sadia Sikandar @diyabutt.bsky.social

Please repost and share this petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy. We must do everything in our power to keep the spotlight on Farage's links to Russia and work for Putin. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...

Story time ✨ After the national newspaper published an article about my exhibition (and how I’d lost contact), I’m so happy to share that he finally reached out to me! 🙌 Huge thanks to @scotnational.bsky.social newspaper for helping make this reconnection happen 👏

As UK Home Office policies harden, one woman’s fight for safety reveals the cracks in a system meant to protect | Sadia Sikandar

Glasgow Central Mosque supports around a thousand people every month — Muslims are part of the fabric of this city — and we’ll always stand for unity, kindness, and hope. Love and solidarity will always be louder than hate. #glasgow #glasgowcentralmosque #gcm

Women Against the Far Right campaign at Strathclyde University brought strong voices but were they enough? | Sadia Sikandar

Chaos engulfs Reform UK in Northumberland October has been chaotic for Reform UK in Northumberland, with three councillors expelled amid infighting, controversy, and scandal northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...

Women Against the Far Right campaign at Strathclyde University brought strong voices but were they enough? | Sadia Sikandar

Bylines Network Reader Survey 2025 10 minutes to shape the future of citizen journalism bit.ly/BylinesNetworkSurvey

This time @diyabutt.bsky.social wrote a beautiful poem for My Scotland stories: "Please find common ground – through culture, faith, love, respect and value for each other." Worthwhile a read! Email us to [email protected] if you have any story connection with Scotland.

Such a fantastic poem of hope in today's @bylines.scot I've just read it with a cup of tea in hand as, in my house, the kettles never fully cold! Please repost as @diyabutt.bsky.social has captured hope in verse. And who doesn't need some of that on a silly old Friday?

A new art exhibition raising money for Gaza has officially opened in Glasgow

Protesters were reading the names of all children aged 0-6 killed in Gaza outside the Scottish Parliament today. They expected it would taken 10 hours to get through the full list.

On the final day of our Refugees Are Welcome series, Scottish Refugee Council CEO Sabir Zazai writes about the 10 things we can do in Scotland to turn the tide on anti-refugee sentiment 👇

EXCLUSIVE: Equality Minister Kaukab Stewart has said 'all of us' have a responsibility to 'debunk myths and misinformation' targeting refugees and asylum seekers

"Campaigners stressed that many of those protesting were unaware that asylum seekers housed in hotels are placed there by the Home Office, usually on a temporary basis, and that during this period they are not allowed to work." by Sadia Sikandar @diyabutt.bsky.social

Far-right protesters in Perth opposing asylum seekers in a local hotel were outnumbered 2-to-1 by anti-racism campaigners | Sadia Sikandar @diyabutt.bsky.social

Read the full article: www.thenational.scot/politics/254...

Asylum seekers in the UK face tough restrictions on their right to work. People who have lived through the Home Office system tell us how and why that should change ⬇️

In this story for our Refugees Are Welcome Here series, several refugees speak to us about coming from professional backgrounds but facing no right to work in the UK. We hear from dentists, teachers, academics who want to contribute - but legally can't. www.thenational.scot/politics/254...

We have launched a series highlighting the positive stories of refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland 💙 Our team tells you why we felt this was necessary to do 👇 #refugeeswelcome #refugeesarewelcomehere

I’m pleased to share that my latest article covering the 26th July anti-fascist protest has now been published on @migrantvoice.bsky.social . Please engage with the conversation on why unity and solidarity remain so important today. #ayewelcomerefugees www.migrantvoice.org/articles/gla...

Children and babies coming to the UK on small boats from northern France have been teargassed and subjected to tactics such as the discharge of rubber bullets and the slashing of dinghies with knives. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

She was speaking at an event organised by Stand Up To Racism Scotland, which saw hundreds of people march through Glasgow city centre on Saturday in support of refugees and asylum seekers. Full story from @joshpizpom.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2525711...

'The way they show compassion with asylum seekers is totally different in Scotland' 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Photographer and activist Sadia Sikandar, a refugee from Pakistan, says 'now I am a permanent Glaswegian'. 𝘝𝘐𝘋𝘌𝘖: 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵 @sutrscotland.bsky.social

📢 Today is #WorldRefugeeDay. We wanted to introduce you to this year's incredible Refugee Festival Scotland Ambassadors, who are using their voices to help people understand what it means to be a refugee in Scotland today. #AyeWelcomeRefugees

Artists Sadia Sikander and Syeda Sadaf Zaida reflect on the journeys behind their recent exhibitions for Refugee Festival Scotland. Through photography, painting, and curation, they explore identity, resilience and the human cost of the UK’s asylum system. www.greatergovanhill.com/latest/nbspa...

Great to see coverage of this excellent exhibition. Please check it out. Well done @diyabutt.bsky.social 👏🏼👏🏼 #Refugees #Migration

NEW: An exhibition highlighting the stories of refugees in Scotland and the impact of awaiting the right to work is set to take place at this year’s Refugee Festival Scotland

Our #RefugeeFestScot ambassador Sadia Sikandar's incredible photography exhibition runs till the end of June. www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...

The Independent News winner is… @diyabutt.bsky.social for @greatergovanhill.com

On this blessed occasion, let us remember and pray for our brothers and sisters in #Palestine, #Sudan, #Yemen, #Afghanistan, #Somalia, #Iraq, #Libya, #Myanmar, #Ukraine, and all places where innocent people suffer due to #war and oppression. #EiduladhaMubarak . كل عام وأنتم بخير

Congratulations to all our New Scots Leaders! We’re delighted to be celebrating your graduation today. The sun is shining here at Civic House and we’re so proud of everyone from the 2025 New Scots Leadership Programme, run with Social Enterprise Academy

Huge congratulations & best of luck to everyone who made this year’s New Scots Leadership Programme, run in partnership with our pals at Social Enterprise Academy, so special. Thanks to Becky Duncan at Open Aye for taking such stunning photos. #FriendsNotStrangers #AyeWelcomeRefugees (2/3)

This year’s festival was made possible with support from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, @glasgowheritage and Flutter UKI’s Cash4Clubs programme, delivered in partnership with Sported. Many thanks to all our generous funders. (4/4)

As #VolunteersWeek begins & we prepare to launch #RefugeeFestScot, we’re taking time to thank the people helping make it happen – our amazing volunteers. 🧡 READ MORE: www.refugeefestivals...

Milestone year for RFS Honoured to be chosen as 1 of Scotland's Refugee Ambassadors @scotrefugeecouncil.bsky.social It's a real privilege to see the festival's powerful programme unveiled and featured in @scotnational.bsky.social @scotsman.com , @heraldscotland.bsky.social and many more. ....

A refugee tells her experience and moments of solidarity during a clash between Glasgow far right demonstrators and anti-racism protestors | Sadia Sikandar @diyabutt.bsky.social

Wishing a very happy birthday to @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social — a lifelong fighter for justice, equality, and peace. Your unwavering commitment to the people continues to inspire generations. May your day be filled with joy, solidarity, and hope for a better world.👏👏 #jeremycorbyn

I stand in full solidarity with Gary Lineker following his resignation from the BBC. His departure marks a troubling moment for free speech and journalistic independence.I support his right to express his views without fear of punishment. #IStandWithGary #garylinker

Reform UK's rise is alarming for refugees & minorities. As a Muslim activist & refugee, I refuse to stay silent. We must resist hate-driven politics & stand for compassion, justice & inclusion. Britain should be a sanctuary, not a battleground. #RefugeesWelcome

The Soul in White In memory of Pope Francis (1936–2025) His robe was not silk, but a sign of surrender, To love without borders, to heal with his voice. He prayed with the grieving, the lost, the offender— And stood with the silenced, who had no choice.#popefrancis #rip

On this blessed occasion, let us remember and pray for our brothers and sisters in #Palestine, #Syria, #Sudan, #Yemen, #Afghanistan, #Somalia, #Iraq, #Libya, #Myanmar, #Ukraine, and all places where innocent people suffer due to #war and oppression.. Kul ‘am wa antum bikhayr!" #EidMubarak

Deeply saddened by the passing of Christina McKelvie MSP. Her dedication to justice, equality, and human rights was truly inspiring. My thoughts are with her family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Rest in peace. #ChristinaMcKelvie #RIP

"The real issue lies in the systemic injustices of the asylum process, indefinite detention, inhumane hotel accommodation, the threat of deportation and the dehumanisation of those seeking refuge" Read @diyabutt.bsky.social 's powerful review of Channel 4's controversial asylum show in @bylines.scot

An activist for refugees in the UK reviews the raw and shocking Channel 4 series, Go Back to Where You Came From | Sadia Sikandar @diyabutt.bsky.social

Breaking Bias: Lifting the lid on asylum seekers An activist for refugees in the UK reviews the raw and shocking Channel 4 series, Go Back to Where You Came From @diyabutt.bsky.social @bylines.scot

This International Women’s Day was twice as special for me! my own joy doubled—I won the poster competition! To top it off, I was invited as a guest to attend the event. It was an incredible honor and a truly unforgettable celebration! #iwd2025 #internationalwomensday2025 #womensinhistory