Stories of migrant women who came to Glasgow's Pollokshields in 60s brought to life

Shafqat Sabir, for instance, arrived in 1966, and dedicated her life to the care of her son, who has a rare disability. With support from her mother, Hajira Bibi, and - as she grew up- her daughter Saddya, Shafqat persevered against the odds to get the support she needed.

Shafqat with her mother and sister. Pic: Glasgow Women's Library (Image: Glasgow Women's Library)

Ten years ago, Hajira and her children featured on the cover of She Settles in the Shields, an oral history book published by Glasgow Women’s Library to acknowledge and celebrate the lives of migrant women who settled in the Pollokshields area. Now, its sequel will be celebrated at a special afternoon tea event on Sunday (October 30) in Pollokshields Burgh Hall.

She Settles in the Shields: 10 years on is an Intergenerational Story Café which is free to attend. It runs from 2pm until 3.30pm, and will feature stories of culture, traditions, values, identity and more.

Syma Ahmed. Pic: Glasgow Women's Library (Image: Glasgow Women's Library)

The original book was a collaboration between GWL and Pollokshields Development Agency, and the driving force behind the project was library volunteer Syma Ahmed. The first person Syma interviewed was her own grandmother, who arrived in the city in the 1960s from Pakistan, with her husband and small children.

In the book, the women speak about seeing snow for the first time, the different fashions and foods they encountered in Glasgow, and the warm welcome they received from the locals.

At the launch in 2011, Syma said: "They were brave women - they didn't have the same opportunities and luxuries that we have.”

Syma at the launch in 2011. Pic: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Shafqat Sabir’s son Imran developed a rare disability unknown to doctors at the time, so her early days of motherhood were spent fighting to get him support, and battling the stigma associated with disability in south Asian communities in those days.

It did not deter her, and she was often seen pushing Imran in a wheelchair on their long evening walks around Pollokshields, often joined by other family members along the way.

Shafqat dedicated her life to the care of her son, while also raising her other children. With her encouragement, Imran developed a charity called Ethnic Enable which supported disabled people and their carers from BAME communities.

Hajira Bibi and her family. Pic: Glasgow Women's Library (Image: Glasgow Women's Library)

Shafqat’s daughter Saadya has a high-profile job, is successful in sport (she is an air rifle bronze medallist) and has appeared on stage and screen highlighting stories of domestic abuse in the community.

Shafqat and Saadya share their stories for She Settles in the Shields 2, an online sequel to the book, which is running on Glasgow Women’s Library’s website.

Shafqat pays tribute to her mother.

“She always supported and stood by me through the difficult times,” says Shafqat. “When I became homeless she provided me with a home whilst I had a nine month old child. I had a child with special needs and required a lot of time in hospital…and my mum was …the one who supported me through everything.”

Syma with Glasgow Women's Library staff and volunteers in 2011. Pic: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

Saadya says: “Both my mum and gran have taught me to be strong in the face of adversity. And in all of life’s situations, to never give up and be strong-minded and level-headed.”

She adds: “Most of the cherished memories I have with my grandmother are funny ones. Considering my grandmother was old school, she was somewhat [original] – from asking me to light up her cigarette from the cooker (I was 5) to slagging my fashion choices! She was all round just a cool granny.”