Sisters Raihana Waizi and Malabat Waizi with their flower bracelets at the Islington Assembly Hall

DOZENS of stalls were set up in Islington Assembly Hall on Wednesday for the flagship Refugee Week fair which saw people from more than 20 different countries come together for crafts, art, and music.

As anti-migrant protests have erupted elsewhere in the UK this month, Islington, which prides itself as a Borough of Sanctuary, was telling a story of cohesion and support.

Craft workshops included jewellery making

Sisters Raihana Waizi, 20, and Malabat Waizi, 23, had a queue of women lining up for their flower bracelets. The pair arrived in Islington from Kabul two years ago, and were celebrating having finished their GCSEs.

“We love it here. We can have an education, unlike some of our friends back home, and everyone is really kind. We came over under the Afghan relocation scheme”, said Malabat.

Caron Clarke (right) with her portrait of Zeinab Khalil at the fair

In another corner of the hall, artist Caron Clarke was painting portraits of attendees. She said: “We got asked to come and it’s been great. Having conversations helps with the painting, getting to know what their background is, their name – that’s really important for the portraits.”

Jason Jackson, the Town Hall’s new housing supremo, told those in the hall that Refugee Week celebrates “resilience, contribution, community, and hope”.

Chess players hold a board meeting

“It reminds us that everyone has a story worth hearing and a contribution worth making. When people arrive somewhere new, they are looking for a new place, a roof over their head, a new connection, they’re looking for friendship, for opportunity”, he said.