Oxford’s Colleges of Sanctuary Annual Event 2021
Oxford’s Colleges of Sanctuary Annual Event 2021:
‘Voices for Sanctuary: We Cannot Walk Alone’
Reverend Inderjit Bhogal, founder of the Cities of Sanctuary Movement UK and Afraa Hashem, of Action for Sama.
Introduced by Helen Mountfield QC, Principal of Mansfield College and Baroness Jan Royall, Principal of Somerville College.
When: Thursday 17 June, 5.30pm
Where: Online
RSVP: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/156211489771
Guest Speakers:
Reverend Inderjit Bhogal
Founder of the Cities of Sanctuary Movement UK
Inderjit Singh Bhogal is a leading Theologian and Methodist Minister. He retired in 2018 and is currently working with Churches Together in Britain and Ireland to develop and promote the idea of Church of Sanctuary. He is founder and President of City of Sanctuary, a former President of the Methodist Conference and former Leader/CEO of the Corrymeela Community and former CEO of Yorkshire and Humber Faiths Forum. Inderjit is also President of the Methodist Peace Fellowship.
Afraa Hashem
Action for Sama
Afraa Hashem is one of the main characters in the award-winning documentary, "For Sama", which tells the story of Waad al-Kateab's life through five years of the uprising in Aleppo.
Afraa opened a series of schools in Aleppo, worked as a school director and a supervisor in psychological support centers. She chose to remain in the city of Aleppo with her family during the war, to help those around her. Afraa believes in the principles of her revolution; in freedom, dignity and social justice. This is what motivated her to continue the peaceful movement. Afraa now dedicates her time to raising awareness about the situation in Syria and participates in advocacy campaigns that contribute to alleviating the pain of the innocent civilians affected by the war. One of these campaigns is Action For Sama, which was set up to turn the worldwide reaction to For Sama into positive action for Syrians.
In February 2020, Afraa moved to London to work with Action For Sama and advance her studies. In October 2020, Afraa was reunited with her husband and children, as they were granted asylum in the UK.