Community leaders come together to prove city is a place of love, unity and welcomes asylum seekers

A powerful and uplifting demonstration of solidarity took place in Leicester on 6 September. More than 25 community leaders from faith institutions, charities and local organisations came together as part of a Citizens UK initiative to show support and compassion for asylum seekers housed in local hotels. The action comes in response to the recent unsettling events in Rotherham and other parts of the UK, where violence and riots have threatened the safety and wellbeing of refugees. Our message was clear: Leicester is a city that stands for unity, love and welcomes asylum seekers and refugees. 

I’m Zain Hafeez, a community organiser with Citizens UK in Leicester, and I had the privilege of working alongside an incredible team to plan and execute this powerful action. Together with Wendy, Omidi and Roz, members of the Church of the Martyrs, as well as Andrew from the Leicester Community of Christ congregation, we organised this event as a response to the alarming reports of riots and violence targeting asylum seekers in other parts of the UK.

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Roz shared the motivation behind the event: “We are responding to the news of riots and violence in other places around the UK. We want to make our welcome very public and to show solidarity and support for very vulnerable and often traumatised people.” Wendy added: “We want to send a clear message to both the staff and hotel guests: our alliance of faith groups, schools, and charities is here to stand with them, shoulder to shoulder.”

Andrew shared a particularly moving perspective, rooted in faith: “For those of us with faith, we are helped that Jewish, Muslim and Christian scripture, for example, all emphasise welcoming the stranger, the immigrant, the refugee. So, we are united as chapel, church, mosque, synagogue, mandir and gurdwara, to give a warm welcome to fellow humans who have gone through some very tough times. They also belong in this flourishing city of immigrants.”

The action was not only well-received by the families living in the hotels but also engaged the hotel staff, who warmly welcomed us despite initial reservations. We came bearing gifts – chocolates, plants and cards filled with heartfelt quotes from the Quran, Bible and the poetry of Rumi – symbolising our shared values of love, compassion and solidarity.

There was a beautiful moment when families, many of whom had experienced trauma and hardship, came out to meet us. Conversations flowed, smiles were exchanged, and the spirit of solidarity was palpable. Our leaders, representing a wide range of faith institutions and charities, spoke with warmth and sincerity, and it was clear that our message was heard loud and clear.

This action is part of a wider Citizens UK campaign called Pathways to Citizenship, which seeks to make the path to UK citizenship shorter, cheaper and fairer, treating every person in the immigration system with dignity. The campaign aims to end the hostile environment that has persisted for years and replace it with a culture of humanising welcome, where everyone, regardless of their background, is treated with respect and compassion.

“We want to show that the community here in Leicester is different,” Wendy said. “We stand with asylum seekers and refugees. We want them to know they are welcome here, and they are part of the rich tapestry of our city.”

As one of the organisers, I was deeply moved by the turnout and the positive response. Seeing leaders from different faith backgrounds, organisations, and charities, all united for a common cause, was a reminder of the power of community organising. The families we met were incredibly appreciative, and it was heartening to see them engage in fun, light-hearted conversations with our leaders, despite the challenges they face. It was a small but significant step towards creating a city where everyone, no matter their background, can feel a sense of belonging.

This action may have been a local one, but its impact resonated deeply with all involved. It was a reminder that, even in the face of hostility and division, communities can come together and stand in solidarity with those most in need. As Andrew so beautifully put it: “We are all united, standing together for justice, dignity, and love.”

Zain Hafeez is a community organiser with Citizens UK in Leicester and a 2024 Big Issue Changemaker. You can nominate a 2025 Changemaker here.

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