On the 15th of January 2025, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Children (NSPCC), a child protection charity and partner organisation of ACAA, held an enlightening workshop at the ACAA Feltham office. The session aimed to clarify the role of social...
Blog
Providing analysis of the issues facing refugees and migrants in the Afghan communities, offering our views on current affairs, and reporting on our challenges and successes as an organisation.
ACAA celebrates Shabe Yalda: The triumph of light over darkness
As winter arrives in the Northern Hemisphere, the Afghan diaspora prepared for one of their most cherished traditions—Yalda Night. Known as the longest and darkest night of the year, Yalda falls on the final evening of the Persian month of Azar, marking...
Send refugees back, is it allowed?
Under international refugee law, the principle of non refoulement prohibits any member or non member states from returning people to countries where they may face persecution, torture, inhumane or degrading treatment and/or other violations of the human rights. The...
Empowering Afghan Women Through Language: ACAA’s ESOL Classes for Women in Afghanistan
“On behalf of all the girls trapped in this cage, I appeal to all of you, urging you to show your humanity and rescue us from this darkness.” At the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA), we’re thrilled to introduce our unique English for Speakers of Other...
Beyond the Jewellery Quarter: Connecting with ACAA Birmingham
As a Legal Intern at ACAA's head office in London, I've always been inspired by the organisation's dedication to supporting those seeking refuge and safety. But it wasn't until I connected virtually with our new Birmingham office that I truly grasped the impact of...
ACAA Celebrates Launch of Rehabilitation and Reintegration Project with the Ministry of Justice
The Afghanistan & Central Asian Association (ACAA) recently celebrated the launch of an exciting new initiative aimed at supporting recently released minority ethnic groups on probation as they reintegrate into society. “It is with immense pride that we are, for...
Challenges imposed on the asylum seekers in the UK
The UK, with its long and extensive history regarding immigration, is no stranger to the growing refugee crisis that befalls the current international climate. In the last year alone, the UK saw a 247% increase in the number of asylum seeker applications the...
A Journey of Personal Growth and Advocacy: Lessons Learned from Working with Refugees
My journey with the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) has been a profoundly transformative experience, one that has not only shaped my understanding of the world but has also deepened my commitment to advocating for justice and fairness. Coming from a...
A New Chapter Begins: Launch of the ACAA Mental Health Workshops in Croydon
On the 25th of September 2024, the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) reached a significant milestone, marking a new chapter in our journey to support vulnerable communities. Travelling from Feltham to the vibrant borough of Croydon, we proudly launched...
A volunteer’s path to supporting refugees through the ACAA
Growing up in a close-knit community, I was constantly surrounded by people helping others. This exposure to kindness sparked my passion for making a difference. I found myself drawn to politics, possibly influenced by my experience studying A-Level Politics, and it...
The Cancellation of the Rwanda Scheme: What Next?
The Rwanda Plan: A Controversial Deterrent The 'Rwanda Plan,' proposed by the Conservative government in 2022, aimed to deter asylum seekers from attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats. Under the plan, asylum seekers who travelled to the UK...
Voices of resistance: Three years of Taliban rule
“If I don’t become rebellious, who's going to become rebellious? I am not afraid of Taliban.” These powerful words were spoken by Arzo Naubahar, a passionate Women’s Rights Activist, during a ground-breaking conference, organised by the Afghanistan and Central Asian...
Exploring Kew Gardens: A summer adventure with ACAA’s ESOL students and families
For the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association’s ESOL for Integration project, the summer holiday doesn’t mean a break from learning. On Tuesday, August 6th, Entry 2 students, along with their children, embarked on an enriching and fun-filled trip to the renowned...
Joyful end-of-Term celebration: ACAA students visit Hounslow Urban Farm
On the 20th of July 2024, around 30 students from Afghanistan and the Central Asian Association visited an urban farm in Hounslow to celebrate the end of their term. As they entered the farm, the children were filled with enthusiasm and excitement, eager to see the...
Advocating for Afghan Women and Refugees – A Year in Review
Throughout the past year, the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association has been at the forefront of advocating for Afghan women and refugees, organising protests, cultural events, and discussions aimed at raising awareness and driving change. As we reflect on these...
In Conversation with Qais Alamdar
We recently spoke to Qais Alamdar who cycled 3,500km from Germany to Portugal to raise money for ACAA, specifically in the hope of supporting women in Afghanistan. We discussed the challenges of a cycle of this magnitude, the crisis in Afghanistan, and his plans for...
Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE lifetime work on integration and education rewarded with prized honorary degree
Refugee from Afghanistan receives an honorary doctorate from Royal Holloway, University of London for his exceptional services to refugees refugee from Afghanistan, who fled persecution by the Taliban and arrived in the UK with his young family in the back of a...
A Celebration of Unity: ACAA’s Refugee Week Summer Festival
“It was a pleasure to be there and thank you for organising such a fantastic event which brought so many people and communities together which otherwise would not have been possible” - Ezzatullah Zamani (Trainee Solicitor) On the 22nd and 23rd of June, the ACAA...
ACAA Director, Dr. Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE, shortlisted for Charity Chief Executive of the Year
Afghanistan and Central Asian Association Director, Dr. Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE, has been shortlisted for Charity Chief Executive of the Year in the Third Sector Awards 2024. This award seeks to recognise the sacrifice and determination of individuals and...
MMR Vaccine Awarness
Among many Afghan families in the UK, low literacy rates, unfamiliarity with vaccine-preventable diseases, lack of trust in public health systems, strong religious attitudes, and media misinformation are significant factors leading to vaccine hesitancy, leading to...