Baghdad meets Broadway

Originally featured on Walesonline.

Following on from their success at the Eisteddfod in Bala last summer, the Welsh Refugee Council are bringing their award winning Baghdad Café to the people of Cardiff for one week only.

Enjoying a mint tea at the Baghdad cafe, Eisteddfod 2009

The café, which opens it’s doors on Saturday 28th March, is funded by the Equality & Human Rights Commission and organisers hope visitors will enjoy the inviting Arabian atmosphere with a free glass of mint tea whilst talking to staff about human rights issues around the world and why people seek asylum from persecution.

Hawar Ameen, Policy and Events Officer at the Welsh Refugee Council, explains: “Iraqis have been arriving in Wales for many years, during the years of Saddam Hussein’s rule, and since the US led invasion. Many Iraqis have been granted the right to remain and have been able to rebuild their lives in Wales. Others have had their cases refused but are too frightened to return to Iraq.

“The Baghdad café tries to offer a unique insight into the lives of refugees through conversation, music, poetry and photography.”

Based at the Persian Welsh Cultural Society, 33 – 35 Broadway, Cardiff, café will open from 2pm daily over the week and will feature live music, poetry, photography and lots of things to do or just relax, so why not pop in?

If you’d like more information, contact Hawar Ameen on 029 20432996