Football solidarity as Syrian refugees praise 'good treatment' in Scotland
Syrian refugees in Scotland have felt ''very welcome'' since arriving in the country.
Refugees living in North Lanarkshire were invited to play in the ''cup of kindness'' football tournament on Friday in Airdrie which saw mixed teams including ten Syrian refugees and staff from organisations involved in the resettlement programme compete in an integration event.
The friendly tournament organised by North Lanarkshire Council saw players from the council, North Lanarkshire Leisure, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue and volunteers competing in the sunshine.
Twelve families arrived in Scotland in November last year and are currently living in Airdrie and Coatbridge.
Speaking through an interpreter, Syrian refugee, Mansour Zalaf, 49, said: ''We were in Syria during the war. It was such a terrible life being under the torture and detention of the regime. We have been received very well. Very good treatment. Treated very well and we have felt very welcome.''
He added: ''In the beginning we were very worried about coming to Scotland, but as soon as we arrived and because of the welcome and good treatment received from the Scottish Government, we felt very happy about being part of the Scottish community.''
Also speaking through an interpreter, Syrian refugee, Chadii Amiri, 31, said: ''There's a big difference from being in Syria. The first thing is the quietness and safety. The most important thing is the equal opportunities. There is no difference between wealthy and poorer men, so everyone is equal.''
The Scottish Government has committed to receiving 2,000 refugees over the coming years and North Lanarkshire's share of this is 120 people.
A further 36 Syrian refugees, many of whom have been ''subject to torture and violence'' will be arriving in North Lanarkshire from camps in Lebanon, Turkey and Egypt as part of the second group to be resettled in the area through the Syrian Resettlement Programme.
Barry McCulloch, Convenor of housing and social work with North Lanarkshire Council, said: ''It's important that we provide this refuge here in Scotland for people from that conflict and I'm really pleased that the integration is going so well. The cup of kindness from Auld Lang Syne absolutely sums up today's event. Scotland have opened their hearts and their houses to the Syrian refugees and it's a great thing. It will keep more children in particular alive if they are no longer in that conflict.''
Speaking at the event, Provost for North Lanarkshire, James Robertson, said Scotland is a country accepting of refugees and it shows ''the heart of the people of Scotland'' to be accepting of people in difficult circumstances.