A CAMPAIGN has been launched to allow the mother of an asylum seeker who died in Glasgow to visit Scotland to say her last goodbyes.

Adnan Walid Elbi died in the MacLays Guesthouse in Garnethill earlier this year. 

The asylum seekers' rights charity Positive Action in Housing (PAH) has written to the First Minister to help Adnan's mother, who lives in Syria, to come to Scotland to say goodbye to her son. 

Glasgow Times:

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The director of PAH Robina Qureshi wrote: "Since his death, not a single member of family has been able to visit Adnan's graveside.

"Adnan's mother wishes to recite prayers and put flowers on his grave. She says she cannot comprehend that Adnan has died."

The letter quotes Adnan's mother as saying: "Adnan left us in order to survive and look after his family here. He did not leave to die in a foreign country. 

"I need him to know that his mother was at his graveside once, it would ease the pain in my heart and my family's hearts."

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “My heartfelt condolences go out to Mr Elbi’s family at this most difficult time. The UK government’s immigration proposals are wrong for Scotland. We are a welcoming and open country, that is why we are calling for a Scottish Visa and a tailored approach to migration.

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“People who have fled their home because they needed a place of safety should be supported, particularly at this time of crisis.  I have repeatedly raised with the Home Office our grave concerns about the support available for asylum seekers in Glasgow, both before and during this pandemic and I am yet to receive a satisfactory response or a change in policy.”

The Home Office did not respond to our requests for comment.