On Friday, 25 October the North of England Refugee Service (NERS) marked its 35th anniversary with an inspiring celebration at the Virtu Motor Arena, home of the Newcastle Eagles.
Supported by the Eagles Community Foundation, Doli Events, and live entertainment from Congolese band Mokitano, the event welcomed 160 guests, including notable dignitaries such as His Majesty’s representative, Lord Lieutenant Ms. Lucy Winskell OBE, alongside elected councillors from Newcastle City and South Tyneside Councils. Attendees also included NERS funders, partner organizations, local authority representatives, and members of the diverse community served by NERS, including past and current clients.
The evening highlighted stories of resilience, including personal testimonies from two NERS clients who shared powerful accounts of their migration journeys, detailing the dangers and challenges they faced in rebuilding their lives in the UK.
This included Toofan Habibi, an Afghani client pursuing his dream of becoming a professional wrestler, and Akil M Alissa, a Syrian client who reflected on his journey and the courage it took to rebuild his life in a new country.
Further moving remarks were delivered by three inspiring women: Jasmin Akter, born in the Rohingya Refugee Camp in Bangladesh, who has since gone on to captain the England cricket team and become one of the BBC’s 100 most influential women; Muzoon Almlehan, a former Syrian asylum seeker and now UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2017 and educational activist; and Ruhi Akthar, CEO of Refugee Biryani and Bananas, whose tireless work has provided aid and support to refugees worldwide.
Habib Rahman, NERS Housing Manager and event host, remarked, “This event marks a significant milestone for the longest-serving charity dedicated to supporting asylum seekers, refugees, and migrant communities.”
NERS CEO, Dr Mohamed Nasreldin, opened the event with a reminder of NERS’ longstanding mission, stating, “Today, the debate around immigration and asylum has become more divisive, often overshadowing the real struggles faced by refugees fleeing conflict and persecution. Despite this, NERS stands as a beacon of hope, supporting those who need it most.
“For nearly four decades, we’ve built a reputable charity, though often underfunded and overlooked. This disparity must be addressed—not just for us, but for the thousands of people we support.”
In her closing remarks, NERS Vice Chair, Sepideh Mojabi, reflected on the organization’s impact, saying, “Today, as we reflect on this milestone, we remember the countless lives that have been touched by our work—families reunited, individuals supported through their most challenging times, and new beginnings forged in the face of adversity…Our mission is far from complete, and the needs of the people we serve remain as urgent as ever.”
Held during Black History Month, the anniversary also celebrated the achievements of the Black Minority Ethnic community. Habib Rahman emphasised the ongoing barriers and inequalities that organisations like NERS continue to face.
