The Hebridean Refugee Community is an informal volunteer group in the Western Isles, born from one man’s own experience of displacement and his drive to help others rebuild their lives in the Outer Hebrides.
A difficult start
Murtaza Barlas, the group’s chairperson, explains:
“I am originally from Afghanistan, and in 2021, after the Taliban takeover, I came to Scotland with my spouse and child. The early days after our arrival were very difficult, but gradually we were able to adapt to the new environment.”
Rebuilding a life in a new country can feel overwhelming, a reality familiar to many refugee families. For Murtaza, it sparked something bigger: an idea born at a 2023 refugee event run by the Western Isles Adult Learning Centre. He describes its impact:
“I was deeply inspired by the event; not only by the opportunity it created to meet other refugees, but by the sense of connection and confidence it brought to participants. Seeing people come together, share experiences, and feel included left a lasting impression on me.”
That moment of connection stayed with him, alongside a challenge he’d noticed. In large cities, refugees often find community with others who share their background or language. With so few New Scots in the Western Isles, Murtaza set out to create one community for all refugees, regardless of country or culture. This “shared umbrella” brings people together, helping locals and refugees understand each other and settle in with confidence.
Finding a voice
Murtaza says the most meaningful progress has been watching people find their voice:
“One of the things I am most proud of is seeing individuals gain confidence in sharing their stories. Many refugees arrive with experiences that are difficult to express, especially in a new language and culture. Through our activities, we have seen people move from silence to expression, from isolation to connection. These moments are powerful, not only for those sharing their stories, but also for the wider community who have the chance to listen and learn.”
A new festival
As the group has grown, that same idea, of bringing people together to listen and be heard, has taken on a more public shape. In June 2026, the group helped organise the first ever Hebridean Refugee Festival in the Western Isles, as part of Refugee Festival Scotland. Murtaza calls it the group’s biggest achievement to date:
“It was a meaningful opportunity for us to bring our voices into a wider conversation and to celebrate both resilience and diversity.”
Before the festival, many locals knew little about refugees’ stories, work, or contributions to the islands. Afterwards, that changed. People told the group directly that they had learned much more about the community now living alongside them.
Local attendees left feedback like:
“Well done on such a wonderful community effort.”
“Welcome home; glad you’re part of the family!!!”
Those two lines, one celebrating the effort and one welcoming people home, capture exactly what integration looks like when it’s working: not a one way process of refugees adapting to a new place, but a genuine, mutual exchange between neighbours.
Looking ahead
Murtaza hopes the Hebridean Refugee Community can keep growing as a platform for support, representation, and collaboration, not just helping refugees settle, but actively building bridges between communities, and encouraging mutual understanding and respect.
“This work is deeply personal to me. It comes from my own experiences and from a belief that everyone deserves to feel that they belong. Every conversation, every story, and every connection we create is a step toward that goal.”
