The Voice of Herat from Melbourne; Tajiks and Hazaras Unite in Support of the Women of Afghanistan

Melbourne, Australia

Today, hundreds of people gathered in Melbourne at the invitation of the Tajiks Council of Australia and in cooperation with the Hazara Cultural Association of Victoria to express their support for the women and people of Herat.

Before the program commenced, participants observed two minutes of silence in memory of the martyrs of Herat and all victims of violence and repression in Afghanistan. During these moments, the gathering was filled with sorrow, solidarity, and respect for those who lost their lives in the pursuit of freedom, justice, and human dignity.

The event began with a speech by Ms. Sajia Shojaei, a member of the Tajiks Council of Australia. Through an emotional address and the recitation of poetry, she compared the Taliban of the past with those of today, stating that while the Taliban once lashed mothers and women with the whip of ignorance, today they tear through the chests of freedom-seeking women with bullets.

This was followed by a passionate speech from Mr. Abdullah Harith, President of the Tajiks Council of Australia. He described life under Taliban rule as being marked by fear, killings, imprisonment, psychological pressure, deprivation of education, and enforced silence. He emphasized that the suffering is not limited to Herat alone; Panjshir, Bamyan, and many other regions of Afghanistan are also being trampled under the boots of the Taliban.

Following this, Ms. Shogofa Mohammadi recited a poem about the pain and suffering endured by Afghan women under Taliban rule, which was warmly received by the audience. Dr. Renee Heath MP then spoke about the situation of women in Afghanistan and the importance of international support for their rights and freedoms.

In the final address, Mr. Bart Batour, President of the Hazara Cultural Association of Victoria, welcomed those in attendance and paid tribute to the resilience of Hazara women in Jebrail, Herat, and the resistance of the people of Panjshir. He emphasized the unity of Tajiks and Hazaras, stating that solidarity between the two communities is essential in the pursuit of justice, advocacy, and the defense of the dignity of the people of Afghanistan.

The organizers of the gathering once again stressed that remaining silent in the face of the suffering of Afghanistan’s women and people is unacceptable. They called upon the international community, human rights organizations, and all advocates of freedom to amplify the voices of the people of Herat and other victims of Taliban oppression, and to stand alongside women who have been deprived of education, employment, freedom, and a dignified human life.