A Family's Plea: Fighting for Home in West Belfast

Ten years ago, Shahnaaz Khan and her two children fled South Africa for their own safety. First living inNorth Belfast,they soon moved to the West of the city and have been involved in the local community there ever since.

The Asylum Rejection
Now, the future for Shahnaaz and her children Saira (27) and Zuhaib (23) hangs in the balance. Shahnaaz and Zuhaib face deportation next week, on June 13, after their asylum claim was rejected by the Home Office. For Saira, her status remains a subject of appeal, and she worries she may soon lose her family.

Desperate Plea
Speaking out, Shahnaaz and Saira expressed their desperate need to remain in West Belfast, a place they now call their home. They highlighted their decade-long integration into the community through volunteering and forming deep bonds with locals.

Safety and Empowerment
The family, who sought asylum in Belfast ten years ago, emphasized feeling safe and empowered in Belfast, contrasting their experiences with the dangers they faced in South Africa. They shared their aspirations for the future, expressing gratitude for the support they have received and their desire to give back to the community.

Decade of Struggle
The family described the mental toll of the asylum-seeking process and criticized the treatment they have received. They highlighted administrative failures and a lack of due process, calling for fairness and justice in their case.