Mustafa Atef Visits Refugees in Indonesia

Ahead of Ramadan, Egyptian singer and UNHCR High Profile Supporter Mostafa Atef visited refugees in Indonesia, taking time to listen to their experiences and understand the challenges they face. These encounters reaffirmed his commitment to supporting refugees and using his voice to bring their stories, needs and aspirations to a wider audience.

Spending time with refugee youth was a central part of his visit. He began at a public school where refugee and Indonesian students learn side by side in the same classrooms. Mostafa spoke with the children, listening to their hopes and dreams; a visit that underscored the importance of inclusive education. He then went on to a learning center run by refugees themselves, where he joined children in singing, reciting verses from the Holy Qur’an, and talking about their dreams. These moments reflected the value of giving children the chance to learn and be part of a community, while also highlighting the vital role refugee-led initiatives play in responding to their communities’ needs, and the importance of supporting them.

A visit to a Rohingya family’s home offered a more personal perspective on displacement. Mostafa listened to their story of losing their home, enduring a difficult displacement journey, and living with continued uncertainty. Their story reflected both the strength it takes to navigate such circumstances and the ongoing need for protection and support as families work to rebuild their lives.

As Ramadan approached, Mostafa’s reflections carried a message of compassion and shared responsibility. His renewed commitment to amplifying refugees’ voices was also a call for others to stand alongside them, listen to their experiences, and help them feel supported.

“Our role is to help, to support, and to become a homeland for them, in place of the homeland they had to leave,” he said after the visit.