Healing in the face of hate
This article was initially written for the Church of Scotland’s Ascent newsletter “The last few weeks have felt like being in Covid lockdown all over again” These words were spoken by a person seeking asylum living in Glasgow, describing what the last few weeks have felt like. She came to the UK seeking sanctuary, hoping... Read More
Statement on Far-right Violence
Together with Interfaith Scotland and Faith in Community Scotland we have written a statement condemning the recent wave of racist and Islamophobic violence. Today the focus is on staying safe and protecting our friends and loved ones. But in the days to come we will need to address why this happened: how years of dehumanising... Read More
Speak up for Sanctuary Webinar
Title: Speak up for Sanctuary: Turning Compassion to Action When: 5-6pm, Monday 17th June Where: Online (Zoom) Sign up: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApdu6qqzoiGNDqMbcM81LDhe6jmQ4KQqHG Join us for an engaging and practical workshop on how faith groups can find their voices and begin speaking up for refugees and people seeking asylum. Together with Faith in Community Scotland we will be... Read More
Moderator of the Church of Scotland urges MPs to resist controversial Rwanda Bill
Scottish MPs have been urged to resist passing the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill and to vote against any amendments that would create further restrictions on the lives of people seeking asylum. The call was made by Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, Moderator of the General Assembly, ahead of two days of debate on... Read More
Success in the free bus passes for asylum seekers campaign
The campaign to extend the free bus pass scheme to asylum seekers, suppored by Scotland’s faith communites, has seen a major success. The Scottish Government has annouced thatt £2 million from next year’s budget will be invested to extend the free bus travel scheme to asylum seekers and refugees including displaced people from Ukraine. This... Read More
Welcoming Prayer in English & Ukrainian
Hearing words of welcome in your own language can be incredibly reassuring. It helps us feel safe and seen. SFAR have created a welcome and a prayer, written in both English and Ukrainian, that can be used at any event where there are speakers of both languages present. We would encourage an English speaker and... Read More
Faith leaders voice fresh opposition to Illegal Migration Bill
Scottish faith leaders have joined forces to voice their opposition to the UK Government’s Illegal Migration Bill. Bishop Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Rev Fiona Bennett, Moderator of the United Reformed Church, Imam Dr Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi, Chief Imam of the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society and Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, Moderator... Read More
New Scots & Faith Groups Event
Date: Wednesday 21 June 2023 Time: 12.30-13.30pm Location: 121 George Street & Online (hybrid) Organisers: Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees and EVOC Information and advice for local faith groups that are supporting New Scots https://newscotsfaithgroups.eventbrite.co.uk Faith groups have a huge role to play in building community with refugees and people seeking asylum (New Scots). At... Read More
Faith leaders call for free bus travel for asylum seekers
Senior faith leaders unite in urging the Scottish Government to enable people seeking asylum in Scotland to access free bus travel. Sign the petition here In a statement, 24 faith leaders from a large number of religious groups in Scotland, highlight that “national free bus travel for people seeking asylum (an expansion of schemes for... Read More
‘The God who sees me’ Sanctuary Sunday 2023 Worship Material
Churches across Scotland and worldwide will be marking Sanctuary Sunday on 25th June 2023. Sanctuary Sunday is an opportunity to express our prayers and solidarity, but also to raise awareness again of our Christian calling to welcome the stranger and do this openly and proudly. Together with refugees, asylum seekers and local churches we have... Read More