Description:Text: Malcolm Dick
Kurdish people who have fled from Saddam Hussein’s Iraq form one of Handsworth’s newest communities. Birmingham is home to about 5,000 Kurdish asylum seekers and refugees, with Handsworth serving as the main focal point for the community. Seekers of asylum are housed by the National Asylum Seekers Support Service in privately rented accommodation while awaiting Home Office decisions on their applications to remain in the UK. Those who secure leave to remain or refugee status are free to work, move and make their own lives in British society. Birmingham has a long history of providing a home for refugees since the 18th century. Many Kurds elsewhere in the UK view it as a particularly supportive city and move to Birmingham to find a home. In or near Handsworth, there are four community centres, in Winson Green, Rookery Road, Holyhead Road and Soho Road. Some are mainly commercial outlets which include a restaurant, shop and hairdressers. Others provide advice on legal matters, housing, health care, education and employment.
Why have Kurdish people come to Britain? Kurdistan does not exist as a separate country; it is divided between Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Russia. With a distinct language and culture, they form the largest nationality in the world that does not have its own homeland. The northern, oil-rich part of Iraq has the largest concentration of Kurds. Britain’s association with the area goes back to World War I. From 1920 to 1963, Iraq was also a British colony. In recent decades, the UK’s reputation for political freedom encouraged Kurds to look at Britain as a safe haven and place to rebuild their lives. The first significant arrival of Kurds came in 1982 and 1991, following uprisings, the aftermath of the Gulf War and the brutal actions of Saddam Hussein's regime. Refugees in Handsworth include individuals forcibly deported from their homes in Iraq, survivors of the Halabja chemical bombing and those who experienced imprisonment and torture.
Sarwar is one refugee. He came to England in 1982. Born into a political family his three brothers were killed and at the age of 12 he was imprisoned and tortured. His nose was broken and he was forced to witness the rape and torture of others. Close to death he was released from prison and was lucky to receive hospital treatment to save his life, but he remained scarred physically and psychologically. Escaping to Iran, he was able to get a passport and fly to England. Sarwar was hospitalised immediately and granted refugee status in 15 days. His time in England was hard, facing poverty, exploitation from employers and the need to study to improve his situation. Now based in Handsworth, he runs one of the local community centres and helps other Kurdish people who are seeking asylum or have secured leave to remain. He has supported Kurdish cultural activities and tries to gain recognition for local artistic and literary talent. Sarwar has summed up the importance of self-belief: "It does not matter who you are or where you are, if you believe in yourself you can do anything you want."
The Kurds are one of the most recent migrant groups to settle in Handsworth. The area owes its existence as a large and changing centre of population to Scots, Jewish and Irish people, Poles, African Caribbeans, South Asians and newer refugee communities.
See Sources and Further Reading:
Dick, Celebrating Sanctuary…
Transcripts of interviews conducted by Malcolm Dick with Kurdish refugees.
(photo taken by Russell Gill in Centenary Square, Birmingham)