Shahida Haydari: Meet the Young Hazara Women who are changing the future
Meet the Young Hazara Women who are changing the future
“As a proud Hazara woman, being a Hazara means strength, bravery and resistance - but it also means never ending suffering, trauma and pain. It means rising up against the oppression and discrimination, and above the ashes that were created to burn and destroy me. Being a Hazara Woman means consistent discrimination and hatred because of my ethnic features, looks and who I am.”
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Shahida Haydari and I am in my second year of university currently undertaking my business degree. I have been in Australia for 4 years and finished high school here as well. I am an active young advocate and leader in the community, and involved with multiple organisations through volunteering, organising events, public speaking and employment.
What does it mean to you to be a young Hazara Woman?
As a proud Hazara woman, being a Hazara means strength, bravery and resistance - but it also means never ending suffering, trauma and pain. It means rising up against the oppression and discrimination, and above the ashes that were created to burn and destroy me. Being a Hazara Woman means consistent discrimination and hatred because of my ethnic features, looks and who I am. It means reminding myself of the Hazaras dark history and my ancestors sacrifices - and keeping my Faith strong, working hard and standing up for myself and my people, to prevent history repeating itself - and to continue to fight for our human rights.
What is something you'd like others to know about the Hazara ethnicity that people may not know?
I want the world to know about the beauty of the Hazara people and our culture. Hazaras are the most developed ethnicity in Afghanistan in terms of education and having an open mindset. Regardless of years and decades of suffering our ancestors have been through - over 60 percent of our population was killed by Amir Abdur Rahman khan in the late 18s where children and Women were sold for slavery and our lands were given to his supporters as a gifts - our people have always risen up through education, their own efforts and hard work in all parts of their lives. I want the Australian people to know that the majority of people from Afghanistan in Australia are from the Hazara ethnicity, and for the past 10 -20 years we have contributed so much in Australia's society and economics.
What change do you want to see here in Australia when it comes to refugee rights?
Australia is a multicultural country where refugees are accepted and welcomed by many, however, it has its dark sides too. There are 1000 people kept in the detention camps and Christmas Islands inside Australia where they live alone and in misery, and the majority of them are Afghan Hazara. The sad part is that many of them have developed mental health issues and we have heard multiple reports of those refugees committing suicide.
Here are some of the changes that I want to see in Australia when it comes to refugee rights by Scott Morrison.
1) First, they must release those refugees from camps with permanent protection and the right to live, the second family reunion should happen quicker. There are people who wait 4 to 8 or even 10 years but their application for family reunion still doesn't get processed, which is absolutely disappointing in comparison to a refugee who is from a developed country like Europe, which isn’t the same story. Refugees are all refugees and they all should be treated the same with understanding - those who flee persecution and war need extra attention and care.
2) Another thing that can be changed is the process of getting your citizenship, which takes an unnecessarily long time. Once you take the test, it should be processed as soon as possible, because there are people who have passed the test, but still haven't received their citizenship for many years, which is unfair. My hope for the people in Australia is to become more understanding, sympathetic and supportive towards refugees, because no one wants to leave their homes unless they are forced to, so it is never a choice when one becomes a refugee.
3) Also extend the humanitarian visa to Afghan refugees because Australia has the capacity to save more lives through this.
What is something that keeps you hopeful in these challenging times?
Something that really keeps me hopeful is the new generation, or my generation. Today our new generation are at the front line of leading the change, they are united and resisting prosecution and refuse to bow for terrorists. Seeing Women in Afghanistan uprising against terrorists and fighting for their human rights that is taken from them, seeing them protesting in the middle of chaos and amongst the Taliban is something that keeps me strong, hopeful and empowers and motivates me to keep fighting. Looking back to 130 years ago and seeing how far our people especially Women have come “From being killed and enslaved to BECOMING the most educated group in Afghanistan” is something that gives me endless hope - there is this proverb in Hazaragi which says “Hazaras can find living from rock” looking back Hazaras have passed through fire and always rise above it. I am sure that no darkness lasts long or forever. I know that this shall pass too and the fight is long but strong, we will never surrender or bow to prosecution and brutality. We will rise again.
Anything else you'd like to share?
There are many resources to learn about Hazaras:
Books:
1: The Hazaras and the state of Afghanistan
2: The Hazaras
3: Hazara nation
Websites and articles:
Academia.edu - use search words like “Hazara/ Hazara history
Links to help the situation in Afghanistan and the Hazars in particular:
Baba Mazari foundation - https://bmfoundation.org.au/
You can follow Shahida’s linktree here
“My hope for the people in Australia is to become more understanding, sympathetic and supportive towards refugees, because no one wants to leave their homes unless they are forced to, so it is never a choice when one becomes a refugee.”
