Community mourns loss of Arabic Society founder

A Arabicwell-known community activist and founder of the Fife Society has died aged 67.

Adnan Miyasar died at Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital. He is survived by his wife Sura, daughter Nadine, and sons Kahtan and Mustafa.

Adnan, who moved to Kirkcaldy from Iraq in 1992, was the founder of the Fife Arabic Society (FAS), and a staunch activist who campaigned for human rights.

Born in Basra in 1954, he was one of seven brothers and two sisters. He completed a degree in statistics and was a successful athlete, being named as the second best runner in all of Iraq.

As well as founding FAS, Adnan also set up an Arabic school which provided further education to try to improve the lives of people in the Arab community, and was former chairman of FRAE Fife.

After moving to Kirkcaldy to escape the first Gulf War with his wife and daughter, Adnan opened up the Kulbi takeaway before becoming a telecommunications consultant, going on to found FAS in 2000.

Described as a “doting grandfather” Adnan travelled to Greece in 2015 to help refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria, as well as being the first point of contact for people who then settled in Fife. Together with his wife, they met families as they arrived at Edinburgh Airport.

He tirelessly advocated and promoted the Arab community’s needs by lobbying and structuring legislation to support the community in Fife.

Nadine Alfarhan, his daughter, said: “My father had a really generous spirit. Everything he did was to help the future of not just myself and my family, but the Arabic community.

“He was such a funny guy and doted on his grandson who misses him dearly. I will always remember all of the crazy stories of his life he used to tell us. We are all so proud of him and all of his achievements.”

Adnan’s family are honouring his life by raising money to build a community water well in Niger.

Adnan Miyasar was 67.