Shafiqa’s Story

12 June 2007, 01:26PM

I was a civil servant in one of the government offices in Kabul. During the Taliban regime I lost my job. Women were deprived of their rights and respect. Talib's stopped women from working. The members of the Ministry of Religious Police (Prevention of Vices and Promotion of Virtues) were very cruel people.

I had to leave my home country, I had to come alone, I did not have any money, I sold my jewellery and borrowed money to get to Australia.

In spring, tulips cover the ground like a velvet blanket but in the last 25 years all has been reduced to rubble mixed with blood. All my family has fled Afghanistan but it is only me in Australia.

I was forced to come to Australia on my own because we could only find the money for one, the smugglers charged a lot of money. I spent three months in Indonesia alone too.All my family has fled Afghanistan but it is only me in Australia. Afghani refugees are frustrated with war and do not want to witness war anymore.

In my beloved Afghanistan in Spring, tulips cover the ground like a velvet blanket but in the last 25 years all has been reduced to rubble mixed with blood. We denounce the warlords and those who wish to fight. Long Live Peace!

Shafiqa's photo story

Click on one of the images below to start Shafiqa's photo story. Use your keyboard arrow keys to move between images.

I am under a lot of stress every moment being on a Temporary Protection Visa and now even more on the Rolling Visa, and I am constantly afraid they will send me back. I have nothing in Afghanistan now; no home, no land, no family.

From morning to night I want to be out of the house-not to stay alone. I thank the humanitarian attitude of Australian people for which I am very grateful.

I would like to thank all Australian people, hospital staff and doctors. The first official I met after being released from the detention centre was Ms Maria at the DIMA office, she is a very kind person. My interpreters were kind and later I met a Turkish woman who is now a friend.

Also, two Afghan and an Iranian family who lived in Box Hill; Nafisa and Frank too were involved with me. I attended English classes; all the people I met were very kind to me and I thank them all.

"I pray for a good life in Australia and to be reunited with my children."

Shafiqa

Find out more

• Download Shafiqa's story (pdf size: 177kb)
• Read other refugees' stories
• Find out more about the Unfair Shores Campaign Kit

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