Afghan women completing medical studies in Scotland celebrate Christmas and Yalda in the Highlands - and go Nessie hunting

A group of 19 Afghan women medical students have celebrated the ancient Persian festival, Yalda, while experiencing their first Scottish Christmas in the Highlands.

The women, all aged in their 20s, were prevented from continuing their medical studies in their homeland after the Taliban took control three years ago and barred women from studying.

Having left behind their families and loved ones, they made global headlines this summer when they arrived in Scotland after Western Isles charity The Linda Norgrove Foundation worked with UK and Scottish governments to arrange visas and places at four Scottish universities.

Four months on, the women were reunited in Beauly during a brief break from their studies.

Not only have they been joining in festive traditions such as decorating the Christmas tree, their arrival coincided with Yalda, a cultural event dating back thousands of years marking the longest and darkest night of the year.

• Afghan female medical students set to enjoy first traditional Scottish Christmas in the Highlands

The tradition symbolises hope and renewal and serves as a reminder of resilience, unity and the promise of brighter days ahead.

As they marked Yalda this year, that symbolism is particularly potent and poignant for these inspirational, intelligent and determined women who have made the difficult decision to leave behind their homes in the hope of a brighter future.

As they come together on a dreich Highland winter night, the vibrant and expectant atmosphere is matched by their stunning and colourful handmade traditional costumes.

Back home in Afghanistan, it would be a night when they would gather with family and friends for poetry recitations and songs.

Pomegranates and watermelons, seen as symbols of health and prosperity. are typically served during the festival.

Amid the lively chatter and excitement of being back together as a group, their thoughts are also in Afghanistan and they are under no illusion of the tough and uncertain journey ahead.

Zahra Hussaini explained that if she she was back at home, she would be among her family to celebrate the occasion and prepare special foods.

“We celebrate this night which although it is very long, there is brightness after the darkness,” she said.

She reflected that in the women’s own life stories, after hardship and difficulty under the Taliban regime, coming to Scotland to continue their education had finally brought brightness and better days.

She acknowledged it was hard to leave behind her family but recalled a quotation which observed that life brought pain - you had to choose which one.

“In Afghanistan, if I wanted to live there, the pain was not to have an education and not to have my dreams fulfilled,” she explained.

“Or I could leave my family for a better education and future - not just for myself and my family but also as a role model for my younger sisters and brother.

“It was very difficult and not an easy decision to make but finally I made my mind up.

“I preferred the pain of being separated from my family over the feeling in the future of not taking the right decision.”

Malika Mohammadi, who would like to become a neuro surgeon one day, also misses family and home but said: “I am happy I have the chance to study.

“It is hard to be away from family.

“But my family is happy that one of their daughters came out the situation in Afghanistan to explore a new life, a new culture, a new system.

“They are very supportive,”

Since arriving in Scotland, she has been particularly struck by the welcoming nature and helpfulness of people in Glasgow as well as the buildings and interesting architecture.

“I can now understand how Scotland is rich in history,” she said. “It is impressive.”

Latifa Mohammadi, who also has dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon, is settling into her new life in Scotland.

“It has been a good experience so far,” she said. “The people are very kind and welcoming.”

During their stay, the women are enjoying a programme of activities as well as taking in some of the area’s sights including a trip to Loch Ness and the chance to do some monster spotting!

The Christmas break has been organised by volunteers with the Linda Norgrove Foundation including Jane Cumming while generous individuals and organisations have given their support.

“The girls have settled into their new lives and studies really well, but holiday periods are a particularly difficult time to be so far away from their families,” Jane said.

The Linda Norgrove Foundation, was set up in memory of aid worker Linda Norgrove, from Uig in Lewis.

She loved Afghanistan and was devoted to ensuring that its people would achieve prosperity and stability as their country was rebuilt.

Linda was kidnapped and subsequently died during a failed rescue attempt in Afghanistan in October 2010.

The foundation, founded by her parents, gives grants to fund education, health and childcare for women and children in Afghanistan.

The charity highlighted the plight of the medical students last year but efforts to bring the women to the UK were delayed by bureaucracy and regulations.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.