Locals unite to support Great Southern Hazara community at moving Albany-Kinjarling Afghan Appeal

Living in Afghanistan under the Taliban’s oppressive rule, Hazara woman Nargis Alizada was stripped of her identity, human rights and freedom. She felt she could no longer laugh out loud, meet her friends in a cafe, or wear her favourite yellow dress or pink lipstick. Ms Alizada was among millions of Afghan girls and women who had to abandon their jobs or studies despite years of hard work. She shared part of her story on Sunday night at the Albany-Kinjarling Afghan Appeal, when the Great Southern community rallied behind the Afghan Hazara people. Sunday’s event at Retravision Stadium raised money for the Baba Mazari Foundation to help persecuted people on the ground in Afghanistan, while also showing support for the region’s Hazara community. It also aimed to fund an immigration lawyer to work with local Hazara people to help get their families out of Afghanistan and into Australia. Appeal organiser Trenton Brennan welcomed guests to the event, saying the community was refusing to stand idly by while minority groups suffered at the hands of the Taliban. His wife is Jewish-American, and he said he wanted to be able to look his children in the eye and say he made an effort. “Life must have a deeper meaning,” Mr Brennan said. “Getting to know the Hazara community over these past weeks, they are a beautiful people with a rich culture.” The appeal started with a welcome to country by Menang Noongar elder Lester Coyne, followed by a cultural reply from the Hazara community. Ms Alizada told the audience she moved to Australia two years ago and now lived in Mt Barker, home to the biggest Hazara community in the region. Her moving speech was met with a standing ovation. “This morning everything flashed before my eyes,” she said, recalling one particular day in her life under Taliban rule. “I worked for so many days and nights to be the person I am today and this morning when I reached home the very first thing my sister and I did was hide our IDs, diplomas and a set of keys. “It was devastating, why should we hide the things we should be proud of? “We are not allowed to be known as the people we are.” Ms Alizada said her story was only a small representation of the persecution experienced by other women and minorities in her home country. Since the Taliban returned to power in August, sweeping the country after the withdrawal of international forces, she has feared for those left behind. “The past 20 years, women fought hard to receive education, work and to dream of a liberated Afghanistan,” Ms Alizada said. “I’m lucky to be living in a country where I can receive education, work and dream of a bright future without fear of persecution.” The speeches were followed by a traditional Afghan buffet dinner by Mr Brennan and local Hazara cooks under a sea of kites hanging from the ceiling. The kites, a symbol of freedom for Afghans, were made by local school students. Afghan Australian Ali Jafari said the event held great importance for his community. “With what’s going on in the country, this means a lot,” he said. The appeal has raised more than $20,000, with the Albany Community Foundation co-ordinating fundraising efforts. Hazara woman Mahboba Ashrafi said her people were lucky to be in Australia, where they could have ambitions, set goals and chase dreams. “This donation is a sign of hope, a message to go and stay strong during times of hardship, because a better future is near,” she said. To donate, visit bit.ly/3EGPLZR.