The first-ever Hebridean Refugee Festival has been hailed as a success after bringing together refugees and local residents from across the Western Isles for a week of events celebrating culture, friendship and belonging.
The festival, held as part of Scotland's Refugee Festival programme, featured film screenings, storytelling, a photography exhibition, school visits and a vibrant food and culture celebration. It also marked a significant milestone, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the first refugee family being welcomed to the Western Isles.
For festival organiser and chairperson of the Hebridean Refugee Community, Murtaza Barlas, the event represented far more than a series of activities. It was the culmination of a personal journey that began five years ago when he arrived in the Hebrides from Afghanistan with his young family.
"When I first arrived, the biggest challenge was learning English and finding my place in a completely new community," he said. "In Afghanistan I had a strong network of friends and colleagues, and I missed that sense of belonging."
Determined to rebuild his life, Murtaza gradually became involved in local organisations. He joined Third Sector Hebrides as a gardener before progressing to his current role as Project Coordinator, helping organise community projects across the islands. Alongside his work, he attended English classes at the Learning Shop, where he continued to build friendships and confidence.
It was a small gathering organised by the Learning Shop in 2023, where refugees shared traditional food from their home countries, that sparked the idea for a larger community event.
"I realised that refugees needed opportunities not just for support, but to come together, meet one another and feel that they truly belonged here," he explained. "People in the Western Isles have been incredibly welcoming over the years, but creating connections and friendships is just as important."
Over the following year, Murtaza worked with local partners and community organisations to develop the idea, resulting in the Western Isles' first dedicated refugee festival.
Throughout the week, island residents heard first-hand accounts from refugees, sampled food from different cultures and learned more about the experiences of people who have made the Western Isles their home after fleeing conflict and persecution. School pupils also took part in activities that encouraged discussion about refugees and the importance of inclusion.
Murtaza believes the positive response showed the value of bringing people together through shared experiences.
"It was wonderful to see people talking, listening and learning from each other," he said. "For many refugees, simply meeting others with similar experiences helped them feel less isolated. At the same time, local people had the chance to understand our stories, our cultures and the journeys that brought us here."
He hopes the success of the inaugural festival will ensure it becomes a regular fixture in the Western Isles calendar.
"This festival showed that diversity strengthens our communities," he said. "Everyone has something to contribute, and when we create opportunities to come together, everyone benefits."
As Refugee Week celebrations came to a close, organisers said the festival had achieved its aim of strengthening relationships between refugees and the wider community, while celebrating the rich cultural diversity that has become part of life in the Western Isles over the past decade.
