The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Scottish charity preparing for an influx of refugees from beleaguered land
A Scottish charity run by Afghans is working with the government and local authorities to prepare for an influx of refugees, after the Taliban swept to power in Kabul, triggering a mass evacuation effort.
Abdul Bostani knows all too well the uncertainty of being a refugee.
He came to Scotland as a teenager more than 20 years ago, fleeing from the Taliban’s first bloody, oppressive regime in his homeland.
The community activist has been following events closely as the crisis unfolded over recent months and weeks, culminating in the Taliban seizing power from president Ashraf Ghani, US and Nato forces pulling out, the desperate scramble of people trying to get on to planes, and deadly terror attacks at the airport.
And he doesn’t mince his words.
“Afghanistan is going to be a safe haven for terrorism,” he said.
“The international community has given Afghanistan as a gift to the terrorists, and in the future Afghanistan will be a threat to world security just like it was in 2001.”
Originally from the north of the country, Abdul does however see a spark of hope for resistance in the Panjshir Valley where the son of a legendary rebel leader who took on the Soviets, is holding out against Taliban rule.
“Yes it’s true the Taliban have secured or controlled a vast majority of Afghanistan, but they will never rule in the hearts and minds of our people,” he said.
In the aftermath of the Taliban takeover thousands of Afghans have already left the country, many of them on crowded military flights. The scenes of chaos, violence and desperation at the airport have hit home to Scotland’s Afghan community who are now helping prepare for the arrival of thousands of refugees.
“We are absolutely prepared, and we know more people will come here,” said Abdul, who heads up the charity Glasgow Afghan United.
Bostani, who stood unsuccessfully as an SNP candidate in May’s Holyrood elections, will meet with cabinet secretaries Angus Robertson and Shona Robison tomorrow, along with the local authorities organisation Cosla, and the Scottish Refugee Council.