Dear Messenger
I agree with Kate Atkinson's article ‘Asylum seekers’ (in Issue 50), where she says that hostility towards asylum-seekers is often due to lack of awareness of their situation. I have got to know asylum seekers from countries all over the world where people have to struggle for basic rights that we take for granted. I have often been impressed and humbled by how people can survive wars, unjust imprisonment or the loss of home and family, and still keep their faith in the possibility of a better, more peaceful life for themselves and their children. I have also been ashamed at the way these friends have been treated by some British people.
There are many people in Burngreave and in the rest of the city who have made rewarding, and even life-changing friendships with asylum seekers and refugees, and who are willing to share their experiences with churches or community groups in the area. If there are any groups which would be interested in learning more about asylum issues, there is a new local awarenessraising project called ‘Sanctuary’, which has been set up with the support of Inderjit Bhogal from Pitsmoor Methodist Church. You can contact us at sanctuarysheffield@fastmail.co.uk.
Craig Barnett