Over 100 Attend Launch of National Union of Afghans in Luxembourg

On Saturday 5 September 2026, the newly created National Union of Afghans in Luxembourg held its official launch at the Youth Hostel in Luxembourg-Pfaffenthal, with more than 100 guests attending an event that also marked the 107th anniversary of the independence of Afghanistan. 

According to the organisers, the association was created to strengthen solidarity, dialogue and cooperation within the Afghan community in Luxembourg, while also developing closer ties with the Luxembourg authorities and wider society through civic participation. The launch brought together members and supporters of the community and presented the new organisation and its intended role in representing around 1,500 Afghans living in Luxembourg.

“So that's why I tried to make this international union, it's by the name of National Union of Afghan living in Luxembourg, to create a common point among all different ethnicity of Afghan community, first of all, as well to reflect the problems of our community with related international organisations that they're working with the refugees,” Mohammad Zaker Zaki, Founding President of the National Union of Afghans in Luxembourg, told Chronicle.lu.

Mohammad Zaker Zaki explained that he had lived in Luxembourg since 2021 and felt a responsibility towards the Afghan community after hearing about various problems and complaints affecting people in different circumstances. He said one of the Union's priorities would be to listen to members of the community and, where possible, raise their concerns with organisations working with refugees.

“So we are trying to celebrate our national ceremonies. And also we are trying to get together with the pupils to listen their problems. If this union could solve, so then we will take decision to talk with related organisation that they are working with the refugees to solve the problems of our community,” he said. Zaki added that members of the Afghan community had raised concerns about being treated differently from other nationalities in refugee accommodation, with such issues among the Union's priorities.

He also said the association aims to bring together Afghans from different backgrounds and points of view, while helping to reflect Afghan culture, traditions and the problems faced by the community, and to improve understanding of the Afghan community within Luxembourg society.

Speaking about the decision to combine the launch with the commemoration of Afghanistan's independence, Mohammad Zaker Zaki said preserving knowledge of the country's history was particularly important for younger generations growing up in Europe. “It's our responsibility to celebrate the independence of our country,” he said, adding that remembering Afghanistan's history could help pass this knowledge on to younger generations who may have been born outside the country.