Thousands March for Refugees in Melbourne, Led by Zaki Haidari's Story
Thousands of Melburnians gathered on Palm Sunday, led by the Riff Raff Marching Band, to support asylum seekers like Zaki Haidari. The march, organised by the Refugee Council of Australia, called for justice and kindness towards refugees. Former UN assistant secretary-general Gillian Triggs praised the event for highlighting the importance of welcoming the stranger.
Zaki Haidari, a Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, fled his home at 17 due to Taliban persecution and mass murders. He sought asylum in Australia by sea in 2012. Upon arrival, Haidari faced harsh conditions. He was denied work rights for three years and had no funding for study or English lessons.
Haidari's situation improved after he chose to speak out about his experiences. He received a scholarship to study English and completed diplomas in information technology and graphic design. Now, he works as a refugee rights campaigner with Amnesty International Australia and is a key contributor to Melbourne's Palm Sunday March for Refugees.
The march was supported by various groups, including Grandmothers for Refugees and Medical Students for Refugees. St. Mary's North Melbourne parishioner Michael echoed the sentiment, stating, 'First you pray for justice for refugees, and then you act on it.' The dean of Melbourne, the Very Rev. Andreas Loewe, reflected on how welcoming refugees transformed St. Paul's Cathedral's community.
The Palm Sunday march served as a reminder of the struggles faced by refugees like Zaki Haidari. It called for Australia to welcome refugees with justice and kindness. Haidari's journey from persecution to refugee rights campaigner highlights the transformative power of support and opportunity.
