Baher Al Abd, who is originally from Syria, has recently joined Bristol Refugee and Asylum Seekers Partnership (BRASP) as one of the new Partnership Development Officers. On 21st March, Baher was one of the speakers at the Show Your Heart event, which was organised by Bristol City of Sanctuary. This blog is a version of Baher’s speech.

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I was honoured to give a speech in front of Bristol’s deputy mayor Asher Craig and a few other members of the city council about the importance of welcoming refugees.

It is often confused as to what ‘refugee’ means. While I know that many do know exactly what that word means, I would like to say it one more time.

A refugee is a person who suddenly finds themselves in a situation where they no longer know what being alive means, or what it is like to feel safe in their own country. A refugee is a person who is put in a position where they must give up their home, family, country, school, friends, favourite food and go to the unknown; go to a place they know nothing about, do not speak its language or feel connected to in any way. Whatever I say or however I describe it, it will not do justice to how that feels. Imagine you wake up one day knowing that you must leave everything you have worked for behind you, or else you will die.

Unfortunately, the world we live in fails to understand this. From treating refugees like they just fled to safe countries seeking money or materialistic benefits, to making them feel inferior as if they chose to be put in this situation. The greatest example of this is the nationality and borders bill introduced by Priti Patel. That bill not only violated the 1951 refugee convention but the spirit of it and the spirit of any human right convention.

Refugees have no choice. If they stay in their countries, they will die… But if they choose to come here, even if the cost could be their lives on the way, they still might have a chance to survive.

And how do they get treated after their journey? Well, this is another tragedy they must go through.

Oh, so you are a refugee, how come your English is good? How could you get into university? Why did you come here? Wouldn't it have been better if you stayed in your country and fought for it? Are you wearing a wig?

These are real questions I have been asked, not once or twice, but countless times. I am sure I am not the only one who had to go through this, many refugees who are victims of misrepresentation and systemic discrimination had too.

But this is what brings me to the purpose of this speech; sharing the importance of achieving the feeling of sanctuary refugees aspire for; not only in this city but across the whole UK.

In light of the recent tragic news from Ukraine, it has never been more important to offer refugees the feeling of the sanctuary they need and ensure that they feel welcomed in Bristol and the UK. Having to leave their homes and everything they have ever worked for behind them is not an easy task, and welcoming them here warmly, wherever they come from, is the least that can be done for them.

We are people whose life was not easy going and we came here hoping to start over, get back on our feet and continue where we left in a new environment. We are not here to cause any trouble or take away people's own chances as is often claimed; we are just here to dust the war’s ashes off our dreams and just try to know how it feels like to be safe, not afraid to die at any moment. We are looking to see the bright side of life again, dare to dream and build up the power to achieve a valuable impact on our lives and our surrounding communities.

I am standing here to ask you to support us to feel that we have a home, feel like we belong somewhere and that we have a community where we can love and be loved. Let us learn from you and learn from us. Trust us, we have so much to give. We just need you to offer us the feeling of sanctuary and welcoming we came all the way here for, so we can unleash our potential.

But mind you. I am not asking you to treat us like charity cases or give us what you have. We just want you to make us feel that it is ok to be broken and it is ok to start over again.

I would like to say thanks to the city of Bristol, for its endless efforts to make everyone feel welcomed here, especially to Voscur and Bristol Refugee and Asylum Seeker Partnership. This partnership unifies the efforts of 15 organisations to offer the best support to asylum seekers and refugees and ensure developing new pathways for them. I am genuinely heart warmed to see such efforts being put into supporting the people who need it, and I am incredibly lucky to be part of this promising project.

I would also like to say thank you to Bristol City of Sanctuary, which is always sharing refugees’ voices and ensuring authentic representation to them. I am incredibly grateful for being able to speak up and share their pain with people who can help them, and I am hoping our voices will be heard and a change will be made.

I have so much hope that many cities in the UK will bring a change and do their best to make everyone feel welcome.

Remember, refugees need empowerment, not handouts! Refugees are people with rights, not only needs.

For more information on the event, visit:

BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-60818705

Bristol Post:  https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/flotilla-moves-through-b...