Tag: The Welcoming

Syrian student who fled civil war celebrates graduation

Mohamad Nour Alhoulani and his family came to Scotland a decade ago

A decade after arriving in the city without a penny, an Edinburgh Napier University student who escaped civil war in Syria has celebrated his graduation as an engineer.

Mohamad Nour Alhoulani and his family were forced to flee the sudden outbreak of armed conflict in 2011 – travelling over mountainous routes to neighbouring Lebanon as their homeland was destroyed.

Following years in a refugee camp, they were offered the chance to move to Scotland through a UN programme in 2016. They made their home in Edinburgh, where Mohamad began taking English classes – which led to college and later university.

Now, the 31-year-old has graduated from Edinburgh Napier with a BEngElectrical & Electronic Engineeringdegree, which he celebrated alongside is parents, wife and three children at the Usher Hall.

Mohamad said: “The revolution began when I was 16 years old. Like many other people, my family and I were forced to leave our home. It was destroyed piece by piece, and we had to keep moving to avoid the bombing.

“We went to Lebanon, where we lived in a refugee camp. Life there was extremely difficult, and I had to work in very hard jobs to earn money and support my family.

“When I was 21 years old, I was given the opportunity to come to Scotland through the United Nations resettlement programme. It was a new beginning for me, but it was also a huge challenge.

“I arrived with zero money. I had three dollars in Lebanese lira, which I used to buy a bottle of water in a Turkish airport on the way.

“When we got here I didn’t understand people when they spoke, or the culture. But I wanted to learn quickly. A local organisation called The Welcoming helped me to take language classes at the local community centre. I started volunteering with them soon afterwards.

“I would never have imagined I would go from that situation to be graduating today.”

Once Mohamed got used to life in Scotland, he decided on a new career path – engineering.

He completed several courses at Edinburgh College, while also working and raising his young children, before being accepted to study at Edinburgh Napier University.

Mohamad added: “I decided to study electrical engineering because I wanted to develop a professional career, find stable employment and create better opportunities for my children.

“We had the opportunity to come to Scotland, so I also want to be able to do something to make a positive difference for people here.

“I took to it pretty quickly. I remember one project where we made a little robot car – and I was so happy when it worked! I found I enjoyed solving problems.

“Today, I look back at it all with satisfaction and gratitude. I am thankful for the opportunities I have received in Scotland, for the people who supported me, and most importantly, for the chance to continue learning.”

Mohamad graduated alongside fellow students from Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment.

Community organisations speak out on race hate attacks

Statements on Edinburgh incidents

On the Friday of last week, five people were injured in a series of racist and Islamophobic attacks across Edinburgh.

We, at ELREC, value and work toward an equal, inclusive and just community free from prejudice and discrimination and we stand with all of those who were affected by the events of last weekend and who are worried for their safety.

We stand, decidedly and absolutely, against all forms of discrimination, all violence and all attempts to rob Scotland of its diversity and the people of Scotland of their safety.

We are sharing the following statement in response to the reported anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh on Friday, 19 June.

**Statement from The Welcoming Association**

The Welcoming Association is deeply concerned by the reported anti-Muslim attacks that took place in Edinburgh on Friday, 19 June.

Our thoughts are with those who were injured, their families, and everyone affected by these distressing incidents. We recognise that events of this nature can have a profound impact not only on those directly involved but also on wider communities who may feel frightened, vulnerable, or targeted.

Leith, Sighthill, Telford Road, and the other affected areas are home to many of our members, volunteers, staff, neighbours, and friends. Edinburgh’s strength lies in its diversity, and everyone should be able to live, work, worship, and move around the city safely and with dignity.

While the circumstances of these incidents remain a matter for the relevant authorities, we are clear that there is no place for racism, anti-Muslim hatred, discrimination, or violence in our communities.

At times of tension and uncertainty, it is important that we reject misinformation, challenge prejudice, and avoid narratives that seek to divide people. Strong communities are built through trust, mutual respect, understanding, and meaningful relationships between people from different backgrounds.

As an organisation that supports refugees, migrants, and other New Scots, we see every day the positive contribution that diversity brings to Edinburgh. We remain committed to promoting inclusion, strengthening community cohesion, and creating spaces where people can come together, learn from one another, and build a shared sense of belonging.

We stand in solidarity with Muslim communities across Edinburgh and Scotland, and with everyone working to promote equality, dignity, and respect for all.

There is no place for hatred or violence in our city.

We encourage our partners, supporters and wider network to stand with Muslim communities, challenge misinformation and help build an Edinburgh where everyone can live safely and with dignity.

Free employability training course at Granton Hub

The Welcoming Edinburgh are providing a free course for parents to prepare New Scots (refugees and migrants) for working in the UK.

In this course, participants will learn how to search for jobs, write job applications and cover letters, improve interview skills, and learn about work culture in Scotland and UK employment rights.

The course takes place weekly every Thursday morning over 6 weeks and subsidies including childcare, and transport can be provided.

Classes start on Thursday 8th February at Granton Hub in Madelvic House and will run from 10:30am – 12:30pm.

Please book on Eventbrite on http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/798461207967

The Welcoming shares in funding to prevent destitution

Scotland takes steps to mitigate UK funding policy

A further £278,784 is being made available to six organisations supporting people subject to No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). 

The grants will support projects in Edinburgh and Glasgow which are helping people subject to the UK Government policy which imposes conditions on someone due to their immigration status and restricts access to welfare, housing, and financial support.

The projects receiving support focus on access to essentials, including food, clothing, essential travel and digital access.  Outreach and advocacy support will also be delivered to help people understand and access essential services and maintain support networks. 

The Scottish Government has repeatedly urged the UK Government to suspend its policy to enable people to access public services and health advice during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This is a second round of funding and brings the total grants awarded through the Immediate Priorities Fund specifically for NRPF support during COVID-19 to £553,174.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “These projects are part of the Scottish Government’s efforts to provide support for everyone living in our communities during COVID-19 and contribute to our overall response to the pandemic.

“The Scottish Government as well as many stakeholders have urged the UK Government to lift No Recourse to Public Funds restrictions during the pandemic, so far without success.

“Given the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, it is crucial that people can access public services and also health guidance, the majority of which is provided online, keep in touch with friends, family and networks and access the accommodation and support they need to be safe.”

The six organisations receiving funding are:

  • Community InfoSource
  • Govan Community Project
  • Refugee Survival Trust
  • Refuweegee
  • Positive Action in Housing
  • The Welcoming

All are based in Glasgow, except for The Welcoming, which is in Edinburgh.

The funding support is for a 12 week project proposed by the grant recipient in response to the immediate needs of people who have limited support options due to NRPF restrictions.

Under the first round of grants, £274,390 was distributed between the six organisations to support 12 week projects which ran between April and July.

Further support is available to people subject to NRPF through wider COVID-19 response, including:

  • the £350 million Communities Funding Package announced in March (which the Immediate Priorities Fund is part of) provided funding to local authorities and third sector organisations to support people across communities.  This new funding is not restricted by NRPF.ince 23 March, the Scottish Government has provided more than £1.5 million to third sector organisations to enable them to provide emergency hotel accommodation and support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.  This includes people who are rough sleeping or have NRPF.
  • £20 million has been made available to local authorities as a flexible fund to tackle financial insecurity.  This is not restricted under NRPF and Local Authorities can use this funding to support people unable to afford essentials like food or fuel; they can also top-up Scottish Welfare Fund and Discretionary Housing Payment allocations.
  • a discretionary payment, equivalent to the Self Isolation Support Grant, can be provided to people with NRPF who are working on low incomes and would lose earnings where they need to self-isolate.

Safe haven: Milestone as Scotland welcomes 1000th Syrian refugee

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The Equalities Secretary and the President of COSLA have praised the efforts of communities and councils across Scotland after confirming that more than 1,000 Syrian refugees have settled here. The milestone was reached following the safe arrival of a further 120 refugees to Scotland in the last week. Continue reading Safe haven: Milestone as Scotland welcomes 1000th Syrian refugee