Wed Sep 18 14:52:51 UTC 2024: ## Syrian Refugee Opens Hair Salon in Glasgow, Praising City’s Welcoming Embrace
**GLASGOW, SCOTLAND** – Rabia, a Syrian refugee who fled her war-torn homeland in 2016, has opened a successful hair and beauty salon in Cardonald, Glasgow. Despite experiencing unspeakable horrors in Syria, including the torture and death of her brother and the bombing of her daughter’s school, Rabia has found solace and opportunity in her new home.
“In this country we feel like we are human beings – we are treated like human beings,” Rabia said. “In Syria because of the war there was no value in humanity.”
Rabia’s harrowing experiences in Syria include her brother, Ali, being tortured and killed by ISIS, her husband Zuhair being imprisoned before escaping to Glasgow, and her daughter witnessing the aftermath of a bomb attack on her school. “It was worse than a horror film,” Rabia described, recalling the horrific violence in the Darah region.
Despite her trauma, Rabia persevered, obtaining an SVQ in hairdressing and opening “Rabia’s Salon” in 2022. “I knew I needed to work as I had to provide for my kids,” she explained. “I am so grateful to U Concept.”
Family friend Faten Hameed of the Scottish Iraqi Association spoke highly of Rabia’s work ethic and commitment to her family. “Rabia opens six days a week. The salon is very popular,” Hameed stated. “When I hear what people say about refugees that ‘they are here for benefits, they have no idea how hard they work.”
Rabia’s story is a testament to the resilience of refugees and the welcoming nature of Glasgow. Her success in establishing her own business highlights the positive contributions that refugees can make to their new communities.
First Piper 