Three brothers were given an emotional welcome back to school by their classmates and teachers after they were granted the right to remain in Ireland.
Zubair, Umair and Mutjuba Khan arrived in Cork two years ago seeking asylum from Saudi Arabia.
They had been living in a direct provision centre in Cork city and were under threat of being deported having been refused international protection in this country.
However, following great efforts from their school, and the wider community in Cork, they were granted permission to stay in Ireland after a late intervention on their case by Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan.
The welcome the boys received on their return to Colaiste Eamann Ris school was overwhelming.
The brothers walked through the buildings being given a round of applause by all their schoolfriends and teachers.
As they made the emotional walk, the lads were handed various items synonymous with Cork as symbols that they were now Cork boys.
The video is perfectly created with the Cork anthem After All written by the city’s much-loved band The Frank and Walters providing the soundtrack.
It opens with a caption reading: “We gave the Khan brothers things you need when STAYING in Cork.”
Some of the gifts the boys were handed on their walk through the school included Barry’s Tea, a hurley, a bottle of Tanora, a copy of the RTÉ Guide.
The emotional video ends with an image of the statue of Annie Moore and her two brothers, and the caption saying: “We’ve been there ourselves remember” as a note of recognition to the millions of Irish people who have also been forced to leave their homelands and seek a new life elsewhere.
Well done to all at Colaiste Eamann Ris school and congratulations to Zubair, Umair and Mutjuba Khan on their new status as Cork locals.
Take a look at the video published in The Cork Beo.
Nigerian-born Irish student celebrates with classmates after he’s allowed to stay in Ireland
