Urdu School Athens

1. Organisation, Leadership and Voluntary Teaching

Operating every Saturday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Cultural Centre of PCG in Peristeri, Urdu School Athens provides a welcoming learning environment for children and women, bringing together language learning, cultural continuity and meaningful connections within the local community. Established in 2007, the School is a grassroots educational initiative founded by Mr. Javied Aslam Arain, President of the Pakistan Community of Greece «UNITY», with a vision to preserve cultural heritage, nurture the next generation and foster meaningful integration into Greek society.

The School's activities are managed primarily by the Women's Council of the Pakistan Community of Greece «UNITY», under the leadership of its Head, Mrs. Ishtiaq, who also serves as the School's Principal.

At the heart of the School is a team of ten dedicated educators: seven regular teachers and three who contribute on an occasional basis. All are members of the Women's Council and bring educational qualifications, relevant teaching experience and, above all, a shared commitment to education as a means of creating opportunities, strengthening communities and contributing to a better future.

Every aspect of the School's educational work is entirely voluntary. It is a collective effort built on the belief that education is a responsibility that extends beyond the classroom, and that meaningful change can be achieved through the time, knowledge and commitment people choose to offer to others.

2. Education, Empowerment and Social Participation

2.1 Education and Development for Children

For its younger students, Urdu School Athens offers an educational programme that extends beyond language acquisition. Alongside Urdu literacy and language development, children learn about the history and culture of their heritage, Tafsir and Fardh Uloom. Particular emphasis is placed on critical thinking, communication, public speaking and the development of moral and civic responsibility.

An important part of the School's activities is its students' participation in cultural events and celebrations throughout the year, including Pakistan's Independence Day (14 August), Pakistan Day (23 March), Eid celebrations and Ramadan events. On these occasions, students take part in public speaking, theatrical performances, tableaux, poetry recitals, quiz competitions and debates. These activities are particularly valuable for developing creativity, self-expression, teamwork and confidence in public settings. Many students who develop their public-speaking skills through the School eventually go on to deliver speeches independently at various events, putting their skills and confidence into practice in different settings.

Through theatre classes, performances and other creative activities, children are also encouraged to explore ideas, communicate effectively and convey meaningful messages and values. Together, these educational and extracurricular activities nurture not only linguistic ability and knowledge but also character, creativity, independence and a sense of responsibility towards others.

Ultimately, the School seeks to equip children with both a strong connection to their linguistic, cultural and religious heritage and the knowledge, confidence and skills to become active, capable and contributing members of Greek society.

2.2 Greek Language Education for Women

Recognising that language is fundamental to participation and social inclusion, the School also offers Greek as a second language to mothers and women of all ages.

These classes provide women with an important opportunity to develop their Greek-language skills in a supportive and welcoming environment. Beyond language learning, they help participants gain confidence in communicating independently, navigating everyday responsibilities, accessing services and engaging with the wider community. For many women, this support can make a meaningful difference to their everyday lives, strengthening their independence, social connections and ability to participate fully in Greek society.

3. A History of Perseverance and Solidarity (2007–2026)

The School's journey began in 2007, initially welcoming around 30 children in premises made available free of charge by the Municipality of Renti, where it operated until 2016. As the number of children grew, reaching approximately 200, the need for a larger and more suitable educational space became increasingly evident.

Between 2017 and 2021, the Community was granted free use of the 144th Primary School in Sepolia, following a decision by the Municipal Council of Athens. The premises provided a dedicated space for the School's educational programme. At the time, the initiative brought together children learning Urdu, English and Arabic, alongside Greek-language classes for their mothers.

3.1 Obstacles to the School's Establishment and Operation

The planned opening of the 144th Primary School in October 2017 was postponed after threats and intimidation by the far-right Golden Dawn, now a declared criminal organization and then Greece’s third-largest party. Its attempts to sow racism and xenophobia relied on shameless lies, aimed at a school and at children who only wanted to learn. Teachers and parents who defended the school were slandered and threatened. The School officially welcomed children on 12 November 2017 with a celebration centred on solidarity, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. The initiative received support from representatives of the Municipality of Athens and anti-racist organisations, affirming the importance of children's access to mother-tongue education and of Greek-language learning opportunities for their families.

The challenges, however, were not limited to far-right intimidation. The Community also encountered difficulties involving the municipal administration under then-Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis. The mayor's political faction sought to present the School's non-operation as a consequence of alleged "bureaucratic obstacles".

The Pakistani Embassy in Greece also became a source of opposition to the School. The Ambassador sought to obstruct its operation in retaliation for the Community's sustained campaign against corruption and abusive treatment within the Embassy. From August 2015 to July 2016, the Community had maintained an eleven-month-and-two-day protest demanding an end to bribery and verbal abuse and insisting that Pakistani nationals be treated with dignity and respect. School students had also participated in this mobilisation. The Ambassador's subsequent attempts to interfere with an educational initiative serving Pakistani children in Greece further exposed the hostility towards the Community's independent activities.

3.2 Standing Together for Children's Education

Throughout these challenging years, the Community persevered in its efforts to make education accessible, earning the support of a wide network of individuals and organisations. The School's struggle was sustained by solidarity from dozens of teachers' associations across Greece, educational federations including the Greek Primary Teachers' Federation (ΔΟΕ) and the Federation of Secondary Education State School Teachers (ΟΛΜΕ), student assemblies and municipal councils, including that of Chania. The Community also received support from the Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions (ΑΔΕΔΥ), the Director of the 144th Primary School, representatives of the Municipality of Athens and opposition factions within the municipal council.

This solidarity extended well beyond institutional support. The local neighbourhood stood alongside the Community, helping secure the School's reopening and putting a stop to Golden Dawn's campaign of hatred against migrant children and their right to education. Numerous organisations and collectives participated in solidarity demonstrations, including KEERFA, Antarsya in the Neighbourhoods of Athens (Ανταρσία στις Γειτονιές της Αθήνας), the Aristotelis Primary Teachers' Association, the Third Athens Secondary Teachers' Union (Γ΄ ΕΛΜΕ Αθήνας), Anticapitalist Overthrow (Αντικαπιταλιστική Ανατροπή) and Unbowed Athens (Ανυπότακτη Αθήνα). Members of Open City (Ανοιχτή Πόλη), ORMA, Solidarity for All (Αλληλεγγύη για Όλους) and other collectives also took part.

The Community extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the School, defended its right to continue its work and stood up for children's right to education. The School's journey is a testament to the power of solidarity and the difference that collective action can make.

In 2022, the School relocated to the Cultural Centre in Peristeri, where it continues its work today. Having operated across three different locations over nearly two decades, it has remained steadfast in its commitment to providing educational opportunities for children and women, preserving linguistic and cultural heritage, and fostering their active participation in Greek society.