Mayor of Ealing, Cllr Raj Dhir hosted a reception at Ealing Town Hall on Monday 17 December to welcome the Sikh and Hindu refugees from Afghanistan to Ealing.

It was recognized that the newly arrived Afghan community was a very hard working community and an asset to British society. Rajinder Singh Bhasin, Vice-President of Central Gurdwara London said that the UK government should allow those refugees who wish to stay permanently in the UK to do so.

Mr Bhatia, of Guru Nanak Durbar, the newly established Gurdwara in Southall, said that they were very thankful to the Mayor and Ealing Council for welcoming them here.

The president of the Afghani Hindu Cultural Society said that they had suffered greatly under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

Headteacher of the Clifton School which has 25% Afghanistani children said that many of the refugees have suffered trauma and adapting to British society can be very difficult. Schools then play a crucial role in helping not just the children but the families to settle into Ealing. However, it is very important for the children to learn and practice English both in School and at home. By learning English the children are able to help their families access Council services.

Mr Bhasin from the Sikh community in Southall, who helped to organise the event said that education is paramount and that children and schools need support and good home/school links are also very important.

The second half of the meeting proceeded in Punjabi, when some of the concerns of the Afghanistani community were aired. Housing was an issue that was raised and the Mayor suggested that issue should be raised with the local councillors and the Council will work towards resolving any problems. He also undertook to look into problems if all other route failed.