I came to Australia as a refugee from Afghanistan, so my level of education wasn’t very high when I got here. The first school I went to was Milperra, which is a school mostly for migrants who speak English as a second language. It’s a great place, because when you go there you’re all on the same page. Then, I was lucky enough to get a 2 year scholarship to go to Brisbane Grammar for my year 11 and 12.
At first, it was extremely challenging to get your head around how the school worked. The standards were so high. None of the students would ever waste time. You’d go to class and bam, the lesson started! All the boys were great though – they all asked me lots of questions about Afghanistan, and I’m still friends with a lot of them.
I’m now doing a double degree in Law and Justice, which I chose because of my background. I’ve seen a lot of suffering – I’m Hazara, so my ethnicity has been persecuted for a very long time in Afghanistan. When I finish, I just want to get out there and make a contribution to the community.
I already volunteer a lot. I do a homework club for new migrants, I’m the Vice President of the Youth Voice Committee, and I’m a peer mentor to an 11 year old boy from Iran.
The other day the Dean of Law said to me, ‘Raziq, I can’t wait until you graduate. I want to hold you up and show the world who you are!’
Raziq
Afghanistan
Arrived 2010
#storiesnotstereotypes #inspiration #refugees #migrants #migration #Australia #Afghanistan #Hazara #Brisbane
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Raziq you are inspiring young man! Thankyou for being you. Will look out for your name in the future as you already sound like a bright shining star. Peace and blessings!
I wonder how many Raziq’s there are waiting on Nauru? Waiting to be given a chance?
Welcome to Australia, Raqiz, and thank you for the contributions you have made and will make to this country being a better place.
I’m a teacher at Milpera and I think you must have just left as I joined that vibrant community. Good luck to you. You seem to have a vision. You will succeed and take every opportunity to enrich your life in this beautiful country. All the best????????????
Well done! I tutor a teen refugee who finished not too long ago at Milperra and transferred to a state school. Milperra is truly is a fantastic school. Well done on pursuing your goals dreams and for working so hard!!
Thanks for telling your story ????. Years ago now I was part of a group of local women who were driving tutors helping Hazara women get their licence. When my student got her licence it was one of the most rewarding things ever – freedom for a hard working, beautiful mum – I knew she’d make it here eh. Hazara people rock ????☀️
And these are the stories that need to be told, not the ones that promote fear among those who see only our differences rather than our shared humanity. Well done and continued success and happiness to you. ☺
We are behind you Raziq! What resilience you must have. It is a truly beautiful thing to see you not just survive the heartaches and consequences of leaving your first home but step up, reach out to others and keep your focus. Your brilliance will not be defined solely by your degrees, accolades – but by the kindness you have grown in yourself, practice & encourage.
I hope you feel welcome here, because even without your list of wonderful accomplishments so far, I would still welcome you.
Peace, brother. ✌????️
Wow Raziq…you’ve achieved so much in such a short time! Well done! You are proof that adversity can bring out the best in people. Your community are fortunate to have you. Wishing you great success for your future. Thank you for putting the needs of others first…may you reap an abundant harvest for your efforts 🙂
Milpera is a great school just around the corner from where I live. I know it has some of the most devoted teachers in the country. I love seeing the students, from such diverse backgrounds, on their way too and from school. Wonderful to read another success story.
If you would like to support New Humans of Australia to tell refugee and migrant stories, please visit http://www.patreon.com/newhumansofaustralia 🙂
“Raziq, I can’t wait until you graduate. I want to hold you up and show the world who you are!”
Raziq, it seems you have a light that must be shining brightly for not only yourself but so others may see. I wish you every opportunity and thank you for sharing your story.
Raziq, attitude is everything, and yours will take you far! We at Milpera are proud of you, and the Board of the Friends of HEAL Foundation thank you for your support.
I’m proud to be a BGS old boy and after reading Raziq’s story I hope to meet him one day at an old boy’s dinner, I need to go to one first though.
Raziq thanks for sharing
I loved the last sentence it instantly bought tears to my eyes
Good luck and congratulations on being a wonderful young man ????
I feel so proud to know you Raziq Qasimi. What they have written is great but does not explain enough of the selfless and motivated person you are. You have supported so many others and done so much good in your young life that I know you will make a major positive change in Australia’s future. So excited to see the world get to know you. Well done ????????????????
You’ve an awesome inspiration to so many of your peers and your people group especially and I know this must have been done with huge amounts of diligence on your part – so so pleased for your future here and the people you help doing volunteering … All the best for your bright future.
Raziq!! I’m so glad you’re here with us in Australia. Your achievements already and profoundly honourable. I wish you nothing but the best of successes when you finish your study and go on to be a valued employee. It’s sounds like you have a lot to offer! ????????????????????????
You’re inspiring, Raziq! God bless you and all your hopes. I work as a volunteer at Milpera cooking breakfast two days a week and working in the classrooms one morning. It’s an honour to be able to work alongside people like you.
I taught Raziq for 12 months at Coorparoo Secondary College. I have never met a more polite, motivated and cheerful person who has been through so much. I remember your poem on loneliness, Raziq. You’re an overcomer through and through. I also look forward to see how God leads and uses you in life, but it just that, blesses you and cares for you. Joy Ridley EALD teacher.
Go Raziq! You’ll no doubt contribute to society more than most if you haven’t already. Hold your head high, I’m proud that you are now a fellow Australian, people don’t realise it’s just luck that we are born into this luck country nothing else.
Bro well done, absolute legend!!. I work with a bunch of Hazara lads here in Germany – I love them to bits, despite their struggles and challenges they are absolute gentlemen and heaps of fun.
Raziq you are such a beautiful person and you always have that beautiful happy smile. I can only wish that one day the Hazara people can be free to worship and live in peace, if they are anything like you the world would be blessed. Congratulations and all the best for the future .
A belated welcome to Australia, Raziq. As Hazara, I understand you are descended from the ancient Persians — one of the earliest civilizations on this planet. May your relation with Australia be long and beneficial.
Wonderful story Raziq! God has delivered you from danger to be a voice for your people and others who have fled pain, danger and suffering! Well done!