Sabir Zazai

Chief Executive of Scottish Refugee Council

As Chief Executive, Sabir Zazai works closely with the board and senior management team to oversee delivery of our strategic aims. He is the face of Scottish Refugee Council, acting as our representative with key stakeholders, funders and in the media.

Sabir has a wealth of knowledge in refugee integration, informed by his personal experiences of going through the asylum system. He arrived in the UK in search of protection in 1999, after fleeing conflict in Afghanistan. Sabir was dispersed to Coventry, where he became involved in local community initiatives.

Before joining Scottish Refugee Council in 2017, Sabir led the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre, a charity that once assisted him through his own journey as a refugee. He also managed the Migration Impact Fund in Coventry and led a major programme with Coventry Citizens Advice Bureau.

Sabir is passionate about human rights, social justice and intercultural relations. In 2022, he was awarded an OBE for his work advocating for refugee rights. Sabir has also been presented with Honorary Doctorate’s by the University of Glasgow and the University of Dundee and has received the Lord Provost’s Award for human rights.

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