By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
IT’S not often high school students get to pitch their political views in State Parliament — and bring tears to those listening.
But Noble Park Secondary College students Zainab Haidery, Mehran Sultani and Arif Alizadeh gave a profound lesson to 97 peers from across the state at the Victorian Schools State Constitutional Convention last Monday.
Speaking in the legislative chamber, Zainab and Arif told students about their experiences as asylum seekers. Mehran spoke on some Australians’ perceptions of refugees.
They were among 15 of the 100 selected delegates at the convention who were given time to speak on topics such as human rights and international aid.
Zainab later told the Journal she wanted other students to know why asylum seekers wanted to come to Australia.
“It’s not for this beautiful lifestyle or the food or the high amount of entertainment but because of safety and security. We want our lives and happiness.”
Zainab, a Muslim, regularly encounters prejudice, saying “most Australians” are threatened by refugees.
“They think we come here to steal their jobs — I don’t know where they get these things. Foreigners are not seen as equal. Australia is a big land and needs more people to build it up.”
Her Hazara family had long fled Afghanistan where they were persecuted by Taliban insurgents. They were moving about Pakistan as refugees for 13 years until her brother Yasin took a hazardous, stormy journey by boat from Indonesia towards Australia. “Old people on the boat were crying and praying to God. He starts crying whenever he tells the story.”
Saved by a naval vessel, Yasin sought asylum and sponsored Zainab and her parents to join him. Zainab said fellow student Arif moved delegates to tears when he recalled his perilous 25-day boat journey. The occupants suffered hunger and thirst before they were saved at sea.
“Everyone [at the convention] was so emotional when we did our speeches. Everyone came up to us afterwards, even the Speaker. It was a wonderful experience which very few people ever get to enjoy.”
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