A ground-breaking project – launched in Skye – helping transform the lives of refugees seeking sanctuary in Scotland has been extended by three months.
As part of the New Scots Holiday Programme, Strath and Sleat Parish Church on the Isle of Skye hosted a group of people last October and the visit, which included a ceilidh, was described as a “positive” experience for everyone involved.
The programme enables congregations to provide hospitality and friendship to people who have fled war-torn countries like Syria.
It was due to finish on September 30 when a £130,000 funding package awarded by the European Union in 2018 runs out.
But thanks to a grant from the Scottish Refugee Council the project was extended until the end of December.
Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees coordinator, David Bradwell, said: “The Church’s need and commitment to engage in multi-cultural and multi-faith dialogue, and be a light and example in this world has become even more evident.
“We are delighted to have received this extension and would like to thank the Scottish Refugee Council for their generosity and continued partnership and support for the Church’s work with refugees.”
Sabir Zazai, chief executive officer of the Scottish Refugee Council, said faith communities have always played an important role in welcoming refugees, adding: “This project allowed the opportunity to bring together our experiences with the faith values of hospitality to build bridges across differences but most importantly nurture our longstanding legacy of offering sanctuary to those who need our protection.”
