Official Inauguration & Unveiling of ACAA Street Sign in Hounslow - Launch

We are delighted to invite you to a historic celebration marking a milestone for the Afghan and Central Asian communities in the United Kingdom.

“A Landmark of Identity and Visibility: Official Inauguration & Unveiling of the Afghanistan & Central Asian Association Street Sign in Hounslow – Launch Ceremony” commemorates the installation of a bespoke, official street sign directing the public to the ACAA Centre. Installed outside our building on Staines Road in Feltham, one of the area’s most important and well-used roads, this sign forms part of the Highways Maintained at Public Expense (HMPE) and is therefore included in Hounslow Council’s official street furniture.

This sign was installed by Hounslow Highways, and we extend our sincere thanks to Hounslow Council for granting permission for its installation.

The purpose of the sign is simple but deeply significant: to clearly indicate the name of our building and show passersby where we are located. As the Griffin Centre is home to the Afghanistan & Central Asian Association, having visible, accessible signage will greatly assist our beneficiaries, residents, and service users, many of whom face language barriers and often struggle to locate essential support services. The installation of this sign will significantly strengthen the visibility of our work within the local community and highlight our presence in the area. It will help promote the essential services we provide and ensure that more people, especially those who rely on us, are aware of who we are and where we are located.

The sign will make it easier for our beneficiaries, service users, and local residents to find our Centre and confidently identify our building. Our organisation is based at the Griffin Centre, close to Staines Road in Feltham, and improved visibility is vital for ensuring that vulnerable individuals can access the support they need without difficulty

This moment is historic. It is the first time anywhere in the United Kingdom that an official public-highway street sign has been installed bearing the name “Afghanistan” or referencing an Afghan charity or organisation. Across the UK, there are hundreds of signs directing people to temples, mosques, gurdwaras, cultural centres, and organisations serving many communities and faiths, including Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and others. Yet no official street sign has ever represented the Afghan community, largely because such organisations have not previously had permanent, publicly recognised spaces.

As the largest Afghan charity in the UK and the only Farsi-speaking charity in West London, ACAA serves a population with enormous needs. There are approximately 500,000 Farsi speakers in the UK, originating from Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Many live in West London, and a significant proportion do not understand English, which makes clear, accessible signage even more essential.

For this reason, we are also hoping in the future to install the first bilingual street sign (English and Farsi) in the UK, to ensure visibility and accessibility for all members of our community.

Having this sign means a great deal to us. It enhances our visibility, promotes our charity’s work, strengthens our presence in the area, and, most importantly, reflects our community’s identity in the public sphere for the first time in British history. This is an important piece of news not only for ACAA but for the many Afghan and Farsi-speaking residents who have long lacked public recognition.

This launch ceremony will bring together community members, dignitaries, partners, and media for speeches, the official unveiling, photo opportunities, and a moment of collective celebration. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony, and all guests are warmly welcome to attend.

AGENDA

12:00 – 12:10 pm | Arrival & Welcome

12:10 – 12:20 pm | Opening Remarks by ACAA leadership

12:20 – 12:30 pm | Remarks from Hounslow Council & Hounslow Highways

12:30 – 12:40 pm | Official Unveiling of the Street Sign

• Ribbon-cutting ceremony
• Group countdown
• Applause and moment of recognition

12:40 – 12:50 pm | Certificate of Appreciation Presentation to Hounslow Council & Hounslow Highways

12:50 – 1:00 pm | Group Photos & Media Interviews

1:00 – 2:00 pm | Afghan Lunch, Live Music & Networking

• Traditional Afghan Lunch and Afghan Folk Music inside the ACAA Centre
• Informal conversations, community engagement and networking
• Opportunity to learn more about ACAA’s work and services