Exploring religious and moral reactions
towards asylum seekers
To start, everybody stands in the middle of the room (the neutral zone).
Pull one statement out of the box and read it. Divide yourselves into two
sides: those who agree with the statement and those who disagree (each
side moving to opposite ends of the room).
You are only allowed to agree or disagree: no “ifs” and “buts”. You have
to react immediately and choose a viewpoint. Everybody interprets the
statement in their own personal way. No explanation is given.
When everybody has chosen a side, a debate should be started, with the
minority side speaking first. You should individually argue their point of
view. The other side should be allowed to react spontaneously. Once the
minority side has finished giving their arguments, the majority group can
then explain their opinions in the same manner.
Two reporters are assigned for each group at each new statement
(Minority and Majority). During the various debates, these reporters
should note on the board key expressions, images and keywords used to
support an argument.
 If women are not free to express their own opinions in
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their own country they should be allowed to claim
asylum.
I’m not a racist, but if I accept migrants in my country,
they should learn our language, and our culture.
I think there’s enough unemployment in this country,
and we should not allow more migrants in.
Everyone must have the right to go wherever they want
to go.
All migrants without papers are irregular and should
be sent back.
 Did you change your mind?
 What persuaded you to change your
mind?
 The Parable of the
Sheep and the Goats in
the Bible makes it very
clear that Christians
have a responsibility to
feed the poor, clothe the
naked, care for the sick,
visit the prisoner – and
welcome the stranger.
 In Islam, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was himself a
refugee, forced to flee from Makkah to Medina. This
flight was called the Hijrah, and is such a key event that
the Muslim calendar is dated from it. Those who helped
the Prophet and his followers are highly praised in the
Qur’an. Thus, in Islamic teachings, those who don’t help
are frowned upon – whilst those who DO help are
accorded special praise.
 “And if anyone of the disbelievers seeks your protection,
then grant him protection so that he may hear the word
of Allah, and then escort him to where he will be secure.”
 (Surah 9:6)
 There have been a number of examples of
religious communities offering asylum to people
– even when the government of the country
has declared them illegal immigrants.
 Why do you think this might be? Are they right
to do so?
 (Consider: governments tend to see people as
having ‘rights’ associated with the state;
religious communities tend to see people in
terms of their equality in the eyes of God)
 City of Sanctuary
 http://www.cityofsanctuary.org/about
 How do people help?
 Why might people/organisations get involved in the City
of Sanctuary movement?
 The logo for Manchester City of Sanctuary says ‘A City
Built by Migrants.’
 Make a list of the things we can enjoy that in some way
relate to migration.