Amal has been welcomed by refugee children with handmade lanterns in Turkey and met the Pope at the Vatican, but points along her journey have also mirrored the hostility and fear frequently thrust upon refugees.
The shockwaves from the rapid collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban takeover since 15th August have been keenly felt across the University of Oxford. They have hit Oxford Afghan students, led to safety concerns for academics in Afghanistan from Oxford Colleges, and resulted in discussions about how the University and members of its community can help.
“Now, our sisters, mothers, daughters, and aunts are under lockdown for the rest of our lives,” said Shaista Aziz, Labour City Councillor for Rose Hill and Iffley and Cabinet Member for Inclusive Communities, sharing in the meeting what an Afghan woman from Oxford had said to her.
"The activities of this year’s Refugee Week take place against the backdrop of potential enormous change in the landscape for refugees in the UK, as the Home Office plans a significant overhaul of its immigration and asylum systems."
