Boise honors refugees and their contributions to our communities for World Refugee Day

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — World Refugee Day is officially on June 20th, but this year Boise will be celebrating on Saturday, June 22nd.

The Idaho Office of Refugees says culture will be shared as vendors and kiosks from refugee backgrounds will be selling clothes, food, and crafts as they celebrate their achievements and their cultures.

There will also be a citizenship ceremony to recognize the refugees who have become citizens.

A former refugee from Iraq, Saeed al Azzawi, shared how excited he is to support them, as he knows how special that moment is.

Saeed said,"That feeling is hard to express. It's really something amazing. You start a new life, and you're born again."

Connecting people with shared experiences is one of the goals of the celebration.

Saeed and his family moved to Idaho almost seven years ago and gained citizenship in 20-22. He says the way he, his wife, and his kids were welcomed to the state meant so much and he's so thankful for the kindness they were shown.

Saeed says the same kindness must be shown to everyone forced to leave their homes.

This year's theme for World Refugee Day is solidarity. The United Nations Commissioner for Refugees reports that 110 million people around the world are displaced, and this day is a time to reflect on those forced from their homes.

To learn more about World Refugee Day, clickHERE.

ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlwrs6iqp5lmKS7sL7SZqmenqWcsqa%2FjJqlnWWknbKqvoycpqesop6vtsDIqKWsZaSkerDB0WaaqKWdqruqwMieqmaen6d6uLvRpZtmqpWbwqixxGabmrE%3D