Representatives from UNAAWA and EOC Diana MacTiernan with Assadullah Khurrami (second from left)
Assadullah spoke nostalgically about the Afghanistan of his childhood, where social cohesion between different ethnic groups allowed a 'golden era' in his country.
However, he said when the mujahideen took control of Kabul where he lived his Hazara ethnic group was targeted and he had to flee, first internally from Kabul, then to Pakistan, Indonesia and then to Australia where he was detained on Christmas Island.
Assadullah did not want to leave Afghanistan and worked with different groups to try and help the country recover, but being constantly targeted and with a young family, he eventually had to seek asylum.
"I never wanted to be a refugee, I still want it to get better in Afghanistan," he said.
Assadullah said the support of the Afghanistan community, his ability to speak English well and to adapt to Australian culture meant his eventual settlement in Australia was not difficult.
"I was always taught to be resilient, build a life and be kind and that has served me well," he said.
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