Ibrahim of Zazou Cuts wanted them to receive same kind of welcome he did

Ibrahim Ben-Aali cuts hair at Zazou Cuts on Lillie Road

A Fulham barbershop has cut the hair of every male Afghan refugee in the borough free of charge.

Zazou Cuts made Hammersmith & Fulham’s Afghan refugees feel as welcome as possible by providing free haircuts at his salon on Lillie Road.

Hammersmith’s refugees have also visited the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium to watch QPR play and 80 Afghan children have been placed in schools around the borough.

Ibrahim Ben-Aali, 46, and his colleague, Yazied, cut over 50 men and boy’s hair in three days when the refugees first arrived in West London.

Ibrahim said, “It’s only when you’re safe and well that you care how you look and helping them in that next stage of their journey has been really special.

“When I heard about the refugees, I knew I could help. It was amazing to see them all leaving the room with smiles.

“I had been thinking for a while about how much I wanted to give back to my community.”

Ibrahim first moved to Fulham in the 1990s and wanted to return the hospitality he received when he first moved to the area.

Many refugees were struggling with damaged hair after making perilous journeys from Afghanistan.

Hammersmith and Fulham deputy leader Sue Fennimore said, “I would like to thank everyone who has helped offer such a warm welcome to the refugees who have fled Afghanistan in its dangerous new era.

“Hammersmith and Fulham is for everyone and it’s fantastic to see our newcomers being so warmly welcomed into borough life.

“We will continue to ensure every refugee in Hammersmith and Fulham has access to education and safe housing until they are provided with permanent accommodation in the UK.”

Jacob Phillips - Local Democracy Reporter

December 13, 2021