Belly dancers will entertain the audience

An evening of entertainment, including live music and food, is being organised in Newport for locals and people who are in the process of settling there.

It is the brainchild of Welsh Refugee Council translator Tarek Samad as a way to encourage better relations between the communities.

He explained: "A lot of the time, there are events planned specifically for asylum seekers and refugees.

"But these events don't bring them into contact with the people who have lived in the area for many years, and who they will be settling among.

"This idea is a way of integrating asylum seekers and refugees with people from the community.

"And it will show that both parties can mix together and have a good time.

"It is all about getting people to integrate with one another.

"I want people who have been living here for a long time, to see and meet with the asylum seekers and refugees and for everyone to get to know one another," he said.

Tarek Samad is organising the event to bond the community

Plans for the event called Arabian Magical Night, which will be held in the Millennium Centre in Pill, Newport are well underway.

Mr Samad added: "It is for the whole community - it is for every nationality living in the area to come along to.

"I know that there will be people coming from Newport, Cardiff, Swansea and Brecon and I hope it is going to make a real difference for everyone," he said.

For more information about the event, contact Mr Samad on 07810 804 986.