A powerful and uplifting demonstration of solidarity took place in Leicester on 6 September. More than 25 community leaders from faith institutions, charities and local organisations came together as part of a Citizens UK initiative to show support and compassion for asylum seekers housed in local hotels. The action comes in response to the recent unsettling events in Rotherham and other parts of the UK, where violence and riots have threatened the safety and wellbeing of refugees. Our message was clear: Leicester is a city that stands for unity, love and welcomes asylum seekers and refugees.
I’m Zain Hafeez, a community organiser with Citizens UK in Leicester, and I had the privilege of working alongside an incredible team to plan and execute this powerful action. Together with Wendy, Omidi and Roz, members of the Church of the Martyrs, as well as Andrew from the Leicester Community of Christ congregation, we organised this event as a response to the alarming reports of riots and violence targeting asylum seekers in other parts of the UK.
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Roz shared the motivation behind the event: “We are responding to the news of riots and violence in other places around the UK. We want to make our welcome very public and to show solidarity and support for very vulnerable and often traumatised people.” Wendy added: “We want to send a clear message to both the staff and hotel guests: our alliance of faith groups, schools, and charities is here to stand with them, shoulder to shoulder.”
Andrew shared a particularly moving perspective, rooted in faith: “For those of us with faith, we are helped that Jewish, Muslim and Christian scripture, for example, all emphasise welcoming the stranger, the immigrant, the refugee. So, we are united as chapel, church, mosque, synagogue, mandir and gurdwara, to give a warm welcome to fellow humans who have gone through some very tough times. They also belong in this flourishing city of immigrants.”
The action was not only well-received by the families living in the hotels but also engaged the hotel staff, who warmly welcomed us despite initial reservations. We came bearing gifts – chocolates, plants and cards filled with heartfelt quotes from the Quran, Bible and the poetry of Rumi – symbolising our shared values of love, compassion and solidarity.
There was a beautiful moment when families, many of whom had experienced trauma and hardship, came out to meet us. Conversations flowed, smiles were exchanged, and the spirit of solidarity was palpable. Our leaders, representing a wide range of faith institutions and charities, spoke with warmth and sincerity, and it was clear that our message was heard loud and clear.