'We our city's refugees'

INFLUENTIAL FIGURES' LOVE LETTER TO ASYLUM SEEKERS REBUILDING THEIR LIVES

- JOSEPH TIMAN

QADIR claimed asylum in the UK three years ago. Since then, the Pakistani national has been rebuilding his life here in Manchester.

Despite the meaningful friendships he's made and the help he's received, like many refugees in the UK, he still feels unwelcome sometimes. Yesterday - Valentine's Day - some of Greater Manchester's most influential figures wrote a love letter to refugees like Qadir.

The letter, which is signed by Wigan poet Lemn Sissay, Manchester Pride's Mark Fletcher and Bishop of Salford John Arnold, expresses love and solidarity with refugees in the city-region, making it clear to political leaders that refugees are welcome in their community.

"The welcome of local people means everything," Qadir said. "I have had amazing support and made some wonderful friendships

"But it can be isolating and difficult too. Sometimes I fear that people like me are not welcome in the UK. So this letter means a great deal.