Afghan women say studying in Scotland has given back dreams taken by Taliban
Monday marked a year since nineteen women left Afghanistan with the help of the Linda Norgrove Foundation.
They had been forced to give up their studies after the Taliban took control and cracked down on women's rights.
Some were in their last semester of university when they were forced to stop studying.
Banin Sultani, who is studying at St Andrews, said: 'I started studying medicine in Afghanistan, then it was banned.'
She described restarting her studies in Scotland as 'so joyful'.
Muzhda Iqbal also arrived in Scotland one year ago to finish her studies at the University of Dundee.
'People have welcomed me warmly, smiled at me, and given me the feeling that I belong here,' she said.
Although she said her new life here has been 'full of challenges', she said it's her dream to continue her education.
Kirsty McNeill, under-secretary of state for Scotland, welcomed the 19 women back to the Scotland Office in Edinburgh on Monday for an emotional reunion.
'This has been a transformational opportunity offered to these 19 women,' she said.
'It's a really emotional day having these students back with us after a year. They are one step closer to becoming the doctors they were born to be. We're all incredibly proud of them and the resilience they're showing.'
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Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Afghan students celebrating a year of living and studying in Scotland
A year ago 19 female medical students arrived in Scotland from Afghanistan to complete their studies. Today many of them attended a reception invited by UK Government Minister, Kirsty McNeill to Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh. The women had to end their education in Afghanistan owing to restrictions imposed by the Taliban, but now they have completed a year of studying medicine at five Scottish universities – Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews. The support they have received from the UK and Scottish Governments has been augmented by assistance from the trustees of the Linda Norgrove Foundation who had worked for three years on helping the students come to Scotland. The women had been confined to their homes in Afghanistan and were unable to fulfil long held dreams of becoming doctors, but they are now well on their way. The Foundation's John Norgrove explained that they have had their challenges and things have only got worse for those left in Afghanistan. He said: 'It has been a privilege to see our students return to their education and enjoy the freedom offered by life here in Scotland. It's hard to describe how much they have had to deal with. Not only the language, but the way they teach is very different and in terms of day to day life they've had to learn everything from how to get on a train to how our supermarkets work. Their determination to cope with all this upheaval yet continue their studies has been a joy to behold and I applaud their courage. 'Their story last year inspired so many, at a time when the Taliban were introducing ever tighter controls on women, and it has helped us continue our mission to support women and children in Afghanistan. And the situation for women and children in Afghanistan has deteriorated sharply. 'The economic situation is desperate with hunger widespread, made much worse by the forcible return of Afghans from surrounding countries Pakistan and Iran. 'After having fled wars over the past 40 years, many have never lived in Afghanistan but now they are being forced across the borders in huge numbers to a country where 3.5 million children and 1 million pregnant/breastfeeding women already face acute malnutrition. These folk have no jobs, no houses, no land. There's no safety net to prevent them from starving. The stories we hear are heartbreaking and we'll continue to do everything we can to help.' UK Government Minister Kirsty McNeill said: 'It's wonderful to see how these remarkable young women have flourished during their first year in Scotland. Their successful transition to studying medicine at universities across Scotland demonstrates the power of determination and collaboration. 'A year ago, we welcomed them as they began this new chapter of their lives, and I am delighted to meet them again a year on and hear about how they have made Scotland their home. The Linda Norgrove Foundation's unwavering commitment to bringing these women to Scotland has truly transformed lives, and it's been a privilege for myself, and the Scotland Office, to work alongside the Scottish Government and the Foundation to make this possible.' She explained the nature of the cooperation between the various groups involved: 'This whole programme is a tripartite relationship between The Scottish Government, the UK Government, and the Linda Norgrove Foundation. The Foundation have paid for the flights and so on, the Scottish Government have changed their regulations so that they could be treated as home students and their fees covered, and the UK Government has taken charge of all the administrative work around relationships internationally and getting their visas.' Farzana Matin a trustee of the Linda Norgrove Foundation explained that the Foundation founders, John and Lorna Norgrove were not able to be present in Edinburgh as their flight had been cancelled due to weather. She said it was unbelievable that the year had passed so quickly and that the students are now well settled. She said: 'I am sure that this has been a challenging year for all of you to begin a new chapter with all of your studies, and that you have all made great progress in the last year. We are all looking forward to your news in the future.' On behalf of John Norgrove, Farzana thanked everyone who had donated to the foundation and both governments for their support as well as the Scottish medical schools who have been very supportive to the students. She mentioned in particular Jane Cumming who hosted the students last Christmas. Scottish Government Education Secretary, Jenny Gilruth, who was not at the reception, said: 'Scotland has a proud history of welcoming people from across the world who need support and it is fantastic that these extraordinary women are reflecting positively after a year of studying here. I wish them all the best with their continuing studies and hope to meet with them again soon. 'I am proud that they can access the same benefits as their peers, including free tuition and student support, as they take forward their studies at our outstanding medical schools.' UK Government Minister Kirsty McNeill with the students One of the students addressed the reception explaining it is a reminder of the new opportunity she has had in the last year Farzana Matin a trustee of the Linda Norgrove Foundation Like this: Like Related
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Female student who fled Afghanistan finds 'second home in Scotland'
Muzhda Iqbal said she had 'lost all hope' after the Taliban banned women from university education. A woman who fled Afghanistan to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a doctor has said Scotland is now her second home. In August 2024, she joined 18 other women who were brought to Scotland to study medicine as part of a scheme by Scottish charity The Linda Norgrove Foundation, along with the UK and Scottish governments. The 27-year-old met up with her fellow Afghans in Edinburgh at a reception hosted by Scotland Office minister Kristy McNeil. Ms Iqbal said she has 'experienced such wonderful kindness' since moving to Dundee, where she now studies. Omulbanin Sultani attends a reception at the UK Government's Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh (Image: Craig Meighan/PA Wire) She said: 'My hope was telling me just go and continue your education, and the future you always dreamed of. 'So, I made this decision and my family encouraged me to become a doctor because it was my childhood dream.' Ms Iqbal said her aunt had died in Afghanistan while pregnant because her family did not allow her to see a male doctor while there was a lack of female doctors. 'It was the hardest, disappointing, most heartbroken day in my life that I lost my auntie because of lack of female doctor,' she said. 'And it made me strong in my decision to become a doctor.' She said she hopes to go back to Afghanistan one day when it is safe. Until then, she is enjoying her time in Scotland. 'I've experienced such wonderful things,' she said. 'The kindness. The people are very friendly, kindly and they welcome me warmly, and they make me feel like I belong here. 'It's a very positive thing that I experience here because I'm far away from my family, even though sometimes they're not giving me the sense that I'm away, I have a family here and second home in Scotland.' READ MORE: Omulbanin Sultani said Scotland has given her opportunities that are not available for her in Afghanistan. The 22-year-old, who studied at St Andrews, wants to become a dermatologist and, one day, move back to her homeland. She told PA she misses her family – who she has not seen since July 2024 – 'so much' but manages to contact them over the internet most days. Ms Sultani is safe now in Fife but she said it was not easy to leave the Taliban's rule. 'We were not allowed to get out without a male partner,' she said. 'It was challenging to deal with the conditions where you're not certain you'll be able to do the opportunity you can only get once in your life. It was difficult.' The student said it was after she finished her second semester at university in her home country that women were banned from education. Six months later, the Linda Norgrove Foundation stepped in. 'It was a great feeling,' she said. 'When you lose something, and you know how valuable it was, and you get it again, you get that feeling.' Ms Sultani said she had heard while in Afghanistan that Scots were 'famously friendly'. Staying here for the past year, she says that has proven to be true. She said: 'When we first came here we were walking around Edinburgh and it was an atmosphere of friendly people, a place where everyone is respected and here where we are in St Andrews it's so international and friendly.' The medical student even enjoys the Scottish weather, saying: 'It's unusual but I love it. Where I come from it's hot and when you come to this weather, you like it. I hear people don't like it but I love this weather.' Scotland Office Kirsty McNeill (left) with Afghan medical students (Image: Craig Meighan/PA Wire) Kirsty McNeill, a minister at the Scotland office and MP for Midlothian, said it was important to celebrate the 19 Afghan women landing in Scotland a year ago on Monday. She said: 'This will be transformational for the 19 students involved. 'Of course, they had lifelong dreams to be doctors, and here in Scotland we're helping them to fulfil them. 'We can't solve every problem, but the problems that we can solve through schemes like this, we will always try to.' Ms McNeill said the first year had been a success, with all 19 women continuing their studies into second year. She added: 'We've given all the support we can and they're still here and they're thriving. 'They're incredibly resilient women, as of course you'd have to be.'
The National
2 days ago
- The National
Afghan medical student says Scotland has become second home
Muzhda Iqbal said she had 'lost all hope' after the Taliban banned women from university education. A WOMAN who fled Afghanistan to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a doctor has said Scotland is now her second home. In August 2024, she joined 18 other women who were brought to Scotland to study medicine as part of a scheme by Scottish charity The Linda Norgrove Foundation, along with the UK and Scottish governments. The 27-year-old met up with her fellow Afghans in Edinburgh at a reception hosted by Scotland Office minister Kristy McNeil. READ MORE: Scottish university ranked among worst in the UK for Palestine repression Speaking to the PA news agency, Iqbal said she has 'experienced such wonderful kindness' since moving to Dundee, where she now studies. She said: 'My hope was telling me just go and continue your education, and the future you always dreamed of. 'So, I made this decision and my family encouraged me to become a doctor because it was my childhood dream.' Iqbal said her aunt had died in Afghanistan while pregnant because her family did not allow her to see a male doctor while there was a lack of female doctors. 'It was the hardest, disappointing, most heartbroken day in my life that I lost my auntie because of lack of female doctor,' she said. 'And it made me strong in my decision to become a doctor.' She said she hopes to go back to Afghanistan one day when it is safe. Until then, she is enjoying her time in Scotland. (Image: Craig Meighan/PA Wire) 'I've experienced such wonderful things,' she said. 'The kindness. The people are very friendly, kindly and they welcome me warmly, and they make me feel like I belong here. 'It's a very positive thing that I experience here because I'm far away from my family, even though sometimes they're not giving me the sense that I'm away, I have a family here and second home in Scotland.' Omulbanin Sultani said Scotland has given her opportunities that are not available for her in Afghanistan. The 22-year-old, who studied at St Andrews, wants to become a dermatologist and, one day, move back to her homeland. She told PA she misses her family – who she has not seen since July 2024 – 'so much' but manages to contact them over the internet most days. Sultani is safe now in Fife but she said it was not easy to leave the Taliban's rule. 'We were not allowed to get out without a male partner,' she said. 'It was challenging to deal with the conditions where you're not certain you'll be able to do the opportunity you can only get once in your life. It was difficult.' The student said it was after she finished her second semester at university in her home country that women were banned from education. Six months later, the Linda Norgrove Foundation stepped in. 'It was a great feeling,' she said. 'When you lose something, and you know how valuable it was, and you get it again, you get that feeling.' Sultani said she had heard while in Afghanistan that Scots were 'famously friendly'. Staying here for the past year, she says that has proven to be true. (Image: Craig Meighan/PA Wire) She said: 'When we first came here we were walking around Edinburgh and it was an atmosphere of friendly people, a place where everyone is respected and here where we are in St Andrews it's so international and friendly.' The medical student even enjoys the Scottish weather, saying: 'It's unusual but I love it. Where I come from it's hot and when you come to this weather, you like it. I hear people don't like it but I love this weather.' Kirsty McNeill, a minister at the Scotland office and MP for Midlothian, said it was important to celebrate the 19 Afghan women landing in Scotland a year ago on Monday. She said: 'This will be transformational for the 19 students involved. 'Of course, they had lifelong dreams to be doctors, and here in Scotland we're helping them to fulfil them. 'We can't solve every problem, but the problems that we can solve through schemes like this, we will always try to.' McNeill said the first year had been a success, with all 19 women continuing their studies into second year. She added: 'We've given all the support we can and they're still here and they're thriving. 'They're incredibly resilient women, as of course you'd have to be.'
