Who are refugees and asylum seekers in UK churches?
The UK's refugee and asylum-seeking population represents an extraordinary range of backgrounds. Afghans (Dari, Pashto, and Hazaragi-speaking), Eritreans (Tigrinya-speaking), Sudanese and South Sudanese (Arabic, Dinka, Nuer), Iranians (Farsi/Persian), Syrians (Arabic), Congolese (French, Lingala, Swahili), and Somalis (Somali) represent some of the largest groups in church contexts. Many refugees from Muslim-majority countries are exploring Christianity or have come to faith in refugee settings. Many others arrive as already-committed Christians.
- Afghan and Iranian refugees include many who have converted from Islam — these individuals may have complex safety needs
- Eritrean Christians are often from the Orthodox tradition and may find evangelical formats unfamiliar but welcoming
- Congolese and South Sudanese communities often have strong Pentecostal backgrounds and enthusiastic worship cultures
- Somali and Afghan refugees from Muslim backgrounds need a patient, unhurried, and safe space to explore faith
The role of translation in refugee welcome
For refugees, language is not just a communication barrier — it's a dignity issue. A service conducted entirely in an unfamiliar language can feel excluding, disorienting, or even threatening for someone who has recently experienced trauma and displacement. Translation signals that your church has made room for them specifically.
- Translation enables refugees to engage with the sermon rather than simply enduring the service
- Hearing Scripture in a familiar language often has powerful emotional significance for people far from home
- Translation removes the exhaustion of constant translation effort and allows genuine participation in worship
- Multiple language options in one service allow mixed-background refugee groups to attend together
Beyond translation: the pastoral context
For many refugees, the practical challenges of life in the UK — housing, asylum process, legal support, access to healthcare, loneliness, trauma — are more immediately pressing than Sunday service content. The most effective refugee ministries integrate practical support with spiritual community.
A refugee who can follow the sermon but has nowhere to sleep on Monday isn't being truly welcomed. Translation is one part of a larger ministry.
Languages to prioritise
- 1Dari and PashtoFor Afghan refugees — one of the largest refugee groups in the UK. Dari is spoken by the majority; Pashto by a significant minority. Both are supported in Voco.
- 2TigrinyaFor Eritrean refugees — Tigrinya is the primary language of Eritrean Christians. It is a less common language to support but critically important for this community.
- 3Farsi/PersianFor Iranian refugees — many Iranians exploring Christianity are highly educated and engage seriously with theological content. Farsi translation is an important tool in this ministry.
- 4SomaliFor Somali refugees — primarily a Muslim-background community in the UK, but with growing numbers exploring Christianity. Somali is supported in Voco.
- 5ArabicA broad language covering many different national and cultural backgrounds — Syrian, Iraqi, Sudanese, Libyan, Moroccan. Egyptian Arabic is closest to standard Arabic as understood across groups.
