Having been in this country for 40 years, I have seen many changes in the Asian community.

As a child we had a very difficult time from the minority of people who did not want us or our parents to be here but most people welcomed us and saw us as being permanent.

When we were invited to work in this country in the cotton mills and in menial jobs, it was a salvation to our parents to have a better life back home.

I think many many dreamed of going back but through circumstances that was not the case. We truly came from poor backgrounds and poverty. But through hard work and determination we strived to become prosperous and educated.

Now for some reason we want to turn onto the country which gave us the opportunity for this wealth and lifestyle that the first migrant workers could only dream off.

Many have died and if they had a voice for the young generation today of what life would have been like back home then they would truly know how lucky we are to have mosques and schools to preach our faith openly dress according to our beliefs.

There are so many things that we take for granted that would be impossible in Asia or the middle east.

Haroon Yusuf Lorgat

Blackburn