Gabrielle Duykers, Naracoorte Community News
Naracoorte locals are opening their doors to members of our Afghan community in a show of solidarity.
On August 21, more than 60 locals gathered at the Naracoorte Migrant Resource Centre to extend their support for Afghan migrants living in Naracoorte.
Attendees listened to migrants share their struggles and concerns, as many recounted stories from their time living under the previous Taliban rule.
Limestone Coast Multicultural Network chair Mehdi Ali said he was touched to see such a large turnout.
“The locals showed immense support,” Mr Ali said. “The community openly invited people who were going through these sufferings and said their doors are always open to come and share anything with them.”
The United States and its allies recently withdrew military forces from Afghanistan which saw the Taliban reclaim the country.
The previous Taliban rule, from 1996 to 2001, was infamous for its harsh interpretation of Islam.
Heavy restrictions were placed on Afghan women which prevented them from working, studying, or leaving the house without the accompaniment of a man.
Mr Ali said many migrants living in Naracoorte still had family members in Afghanistan.
“Only a small number of people were lucky enough to get here,” he said.
“People are terrified, people are worried about the future of their relatives.”
Mr Ali grew up in a town near Ghazni in Afghanistan, before fleeing to Pakistan in 2009.
He said his grandparents had recounted many “terrible stories” from their time under the Taliban regime.
“They killed prominent leaders from different ethnicities and any people who resisted their regime,” Mr Ali said.
“The Taliban resist anything which is progressive, you can’t argue with them.”
Mr Ali encourage people to donate to relief funds and aid agencies supporting frontline work in Afghanistan, such as the International Rescue Committee and UN Human Rights Committee.
Naracoorte Lucindale Mayor Erika Vickery also attended the community event, and said it was important locals continued to extend support to local migrants.
“The situation in Afghanistan is extremely worrying, especially for our Hazara community members,” Ms Vickery said.
“It was a very emotional hearing of the circumstances now again forced on the Afghan people.
“We must really at this time all appreciate the democracy and freedoms that we have in Australia.”
This article appeared in Naracoorte Community News, 1 September 2021.
