NARELLE COULTER
EVERY day staff at Dandenong Library greet Afghan refugee Ramazan Ali with smiles and a chorus of friendly hellos.
When he arrived in Australia two years ago Ramazan had no idea what a library was.
In his native Aghanistan books are only bought at bookshops, not borrowed free of charge from public institutions.
So enamoured is he with the concept of a library, that Ramazan visits the Civic Square building every day to take English classes, meet friends and study.
“Like smokers have to go outside to smoke because they are addicted. I am like that too.
“I am addicted to the library,“ Ramazan told the Journal through an interpreter.
“When I came here I had no idea what the rules of a library were. Friends told me I had to get a library card first and then I could take books home with me.“
True to form Ramazan was at the library on Saturday enjoying the free festivities held to mark the library’s first anniversary.
Ramazan is not the only one who finds Dandenong’s light, bright, modern library something of a home away from home.
In the past year 875,328 people walked through its doors and membership rose from 66,000 to 73,000 across the library service.
The high-tech library now attracts 9000 computer bookings a month compared with 2000 bookings per month at the old Stuart Street library and the number of Wi-Fi bookings have risen from 2500 per month to an average of more than 20,000 per month.
When he arrives at the library each day (yes, even on weekends) Ramazan heads straight upstairs to the second floor and over to the language and skills shelf.
The library doesn’t stock any books in his native Hazaraghi but he is content with the brightly illustrated books designed to teach adults the basics of English.
Ramazan is determined to master English. With only rudimentary education as a child at his family’s mosque, learning a new language is a mighty effort for the 44-year-old.
“Next year if I meet you I won’t need a translator. We will be able to have a conversation,“ he promises through the interpreter.
In Afghanistan Ramazan repaired and sold second-hand cars and also moonlighted as a taxi driver.
A frightening brush with the Taliban on a country road one day left him in no doubt that he had to leave his family and friends and flee for his life.
Two Taliban insurgents accused him of carrying ammunition and weapons for government soldiers.
While their backs were turned, Ramazan decided to literally run for his life.
He knew fellow taxi drivers who had been tortured for days before being murdered.
Ramazan decided he would rather risk being shot in the back as he ran than put his fate in the hands of the Taliban.
He fled and didn’t stop running until he was smuggled onto a boat bound for Australia.
He is now awaiting word on permanent residency.
He said he was grateful for the kindness shown by library staff.
“The people here at the library are very nice. I like their manners, their kindness. I very much like that. They are happy and smile when I need help.“
As well as English, Ramazan is also learning to navigate a computer, a device he had never seen before arriving in Australia.
The difference between Afghanistan and Australia he said, gesturing from floor to ceiling, was like the difference between the “earth and the sky“.
“The people of Australia are very nice. It is very safe and the laws here are good laws.
“I hope I get accepted. I am very happy with everything here.“
See next week’s Journal for coverage of Saturday’s anniversary celebrations at the library.
