Why the Indigenous Voice strikes a chord with the Hazara community | 7.30

Summary

This video highlights the emotional and powerful involvement of the Hazara community in Adelaide as they rally in support of the Voice referendum. The story follows Hazara refugees and migrants who, despite their own history of displacement and persecution, connect with Indigenous Australians through shared experiences of loss and resilience. Their journey to Australia and efforts to engage with the referendum show a deep sense of responsibility and solidarity with Aboriginal and First Nations people, marking an important step in their integration into Australian society and the fight for equality and recognition.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Hazara community in Adelaide gathers to discuss and campaign for the recognition of Indigenous Australians in the constitution.
• 😀 The campaign seeks to establish an advisory committee for Indigenous people, which would provide advice to the Australian parliament.
• 😀 Many members of the Hazara community are voting in Australia for the first time, including those who have recently arrived from Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• 😀 Hussain Ahmadi, a new citizen, expresses deep emotional connection to the referendum, particularly after explaining it to others in his community.
• 😀 The Hazara community in Adelaide, about 7,000 strong, includes refugees who fled violence and persecution, primarily from Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• 😀 Muzaffar, a Hazara refugee, shares his personal experience of displacement, including carrying his daughter across dangerous territories while fleeing violence.
• 😀 Muzaffar’s interest in Indigenous culture grew after meeting Aboriginal artists and learning about their struggles, which he sees as connected to his own.
• 😀 The connection between Afghan migrants and Indigenous Australians is emphasized, with shared themes of displacement, persecution, and loss of land.
• 😀 Muzaffar took Aboriginal studies at the University of South Australia, discovering cultural parallels between the struggles of Indigenous and Afghan people.
• 😀 The Hazara community’s involvement in the referendum is seen as a way to feel more integrated into Australian society, showing that they not only work and pay taxes but also have responsibilities.
• 😀 Despite uncertainty about the referendum’s outcome, community members feel empowered by their involvement, viewing the walk and vote as a first step toward greater recognition and unity.

Q & A

What is the significance of voting in the context of this community's experience in Australia?

Voting is seen as a responsibility, especially for new migrants like the Hazara community members. Their participation in voting is a way of engaging with and contributing to the Australian society that has welcomed them. It's also an opportunity to recognize and support the rights of Indigenous peoples, as demonstrated by their participation in the Voice referendum.

How do Hazara community members relate to the Indigenous people of Australia?

The Hazara community members relate to Indigenous Australians through shared experiences of displacement, persecution, and being marginalized. They feel a deep connection to the idea of land, as many of them have been forced to leave their homeland due to violence and insecurity, similar to the experience of Indigenous peoples in Australia.

What role does the 'Voice to Parliament' referendum play in the story shared in the transcript?

The Voice to Parliament referendum is central to the community's involvement in advocating for the recognition and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution. The Hazara community’s support for the 'Yes' campaign reflects their empathy toward Indigenous peoples, given their own experiences of persecution and displacement.

What does Musafir's connection to Indigenous culture and history reveal about his views on the referendum?

Musafir's interest in Indigenous culture and history, especially after studying Aboriginal studies and learning about the connection between Afghan migrants and Indigenous Australians, highlights his belief in solidarity between marginalized groups. His support for the Voice stems from understanding the struggles of both communities and their shared history of displacement.

Why is this referendum particularly meaningful for new citizens like Hussain Ahmadi?

For new citizens like Hussain Ahmadi, the referendum represents not just an opportunity to engage in Australian democracy, but also an emotional connection to the broader struggle for recognition and rights. Hussain’s personal experience with displacement makes him particularly empathetic to the struggles of Indigenous Australians, further motivating his support for the Voice.

What emotional impact did the referendum have on some community members, according to Hussain Ahmadi?

Hussain Ahmadi mentions that after explaining the referendum to one person who was unaware of it, the person was moved to tears, demonstrating how deeply the issues of recognition and rights resonate with members of the Hazara community. Many feel a strong emotional connection to the cause, understanding the pain of being overlooked or forgotten.

How does the Hazara community in Adelaide view their role in Australian society?

The Hazara community sees themselves as active participants in Australian society, not just working and paying taxes, but also taking on responsibilities like supporting the recognition of Indigenous Australians. They are engaged in the referendum because they feel a shared responsibility to acknowledge and support the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

What personal experience did Musafir share about his family’s journey to Australia?

Musafir shared a deeply personal story about carrying his daughter across the Malacca Strait between Indonesia and Malaysia, highlighting the hardships of fleeing violence in Afghanistan. His family’s journey was marked by extreme adversity, which contributes to his sense of solidarity with other displaced peoples, particularly Indigenous Australians.

What insights did Musafir gain from his encounters with Aboriginal artists in 2015?

When Musafir met Aboriginal artists in 2015, he was struck by the commonality between their lives and the experiences of the Hazara people. He was moved by their discussions of life expectancy, quality of life, and the struggle to be acknowledged, which resonated with his own experiences of displacement and being marginalized.

How do Hazara people in Adelaide view the importance of their participation in rallies supporting the Voice?

The Hazara community in Adelaide views participation in rallies supporting the Voice as an important way to express solidarity and engage with the broader Australian society. They recognize that it is not just about their own community but about contributing to a more inclusive society where Indigenous Australians are recognized and their voices are heard.