I am a proud Mancunian, a mother and a leader- rebuilding their life with hope. That’s how I define myself. But living through displacement, my story to the media and politicians becomes one of trauma and passivity. A harmful narrative that reduces me to just a refugee.  

I decided to do this photoshoot because I want to challenge the current narrative of what a refugee can look like. This photoshoot captured my dignity, strength and my endless joy. To not need to shrink or simplify myself. Refining myself as someone with agency, a mother, a leader and a relentless campaigner. I am reclaiming my narrative.  

Being more than a refugee, I have many hobbies. I adore storytelling in every form from photography and writing to spoken word. I treasure it because it brings people together and creates a united community. I also enjoy taking nice walks and bike riding in Manchester. My city, Manchester is my community that has given me purpose, space and power to lead change.  

My identity cannot be defined by borders nor bureaucracy. My identity, personality and hobbies create my full life and story and not just my status. I am soon reuniting with my beautiful children, and it’s the essence of everything I do.  

Recent violence outside hotels and outpouring of hate in the media have shown that we still have work to do when it comes to seeing refugees not as state burdens but as active contributors, neighbours, friends or just a colleague. These harmful narratives and policies by this government treat us like numbers and not as full human beings, and I want to see policies rooted in compassion and care towards us.  

I am more than a refugee.