Honoring 163 Years: A Tribute to the Legacy of Afghan Cameleers in Australia

September 15 and 16, 2023 – Last week marked a momentous occasion: the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan celebrated the 163rd anniversary of Afghan cameleers arriving on Australian soil. A series of commemorative events unfolded over two days, September 15 and 16, in the historic town of Broken Hill, thanks to collaborative efforts by the Afghan Embassy, the office of the Mayor, and the Broken Hill Historical Society.

Participants included HE Wahidullah Waissi, the Afghan Ambassador to Australia; Mr. Tom Kennedy, Mayor of Broken Hill; Mr. Jim Daly, Chair of the Broken Hill Historical Society; and Mosque Community Leader, Mr. Aminullah (Bobi) Shamruz. The events were further enriched by the presence of over fifty descendants of the original Afghan cameleers, as well as historians, activists, and community volunteers.

Nestled six hours drive away from Adelaide, Broken Hill is not just a remote town in New South Wales—it’s a living testament to a shared past. Over a century and a half ago, Afghan cameleers, alongside their English associates, settled in the area in pursuit of valuable minerals. Among their enduring legacies is the iconic Broken Hill Mosque, now a popular tourist attraction.

The main ceremony took place at the firstly built outback Broken Hill Mosque, where Ambassador Waissi elaborated on the event’s profound importance for the Afghan diaspora in Australia. Eloquent speeches from Mayor Kennedy and Mr. Daly were also on the agenda, moderated by Simon Moleworth, a prominent lawyer and founder of the Broken Hill Historical Society.

The ceremony reached an emotional peak as Ambassador Waissi unveiled a commemorative plaque and stone in the mosque’s courtyard. He also contributed to the location’s verdant future by planting a sapling and enriched the mosque’s cultural tapestry by donating a handwoven Afghan rug, a traditional saddle, and a specially minted coin.

In a heartfelt gesture, prayers were offered for the departed cameleers, accompanied by the laying of floral wreaths. Further enriching Broken Hill’s cultural milieu, the Ambassador gifted a selection of books and academic papers about Afghanistan to the town’s public library.

The assembly unanimously expressed gratitude for the Ambassador’s initiative, recognizing it as an invaluable contribution to keeping the heritage of the Afghan cameleer descendants alive. The occasion also served as a platform for substantive discussions and proposals concerning the community’s future.

Looking ahead, Ambassador Waissi has scheduled a series of follow-up dialogues with key community stakeholders, including Mayor Kennedy, leaders of Afghan communities in Adelaide, and the Director of the Adelaide Migration Museum.

Notably, the inaugural official commemoration took place in 2020, spearheaded by the Afghan Embassy. This involved special ceremonies in Canberra, Adelaide, and Port Augusta—the very locale where the cameleers first set foot in Australia. Historical records pinpoint their arrival date as June 6, 1860.

Photographs capturing the essence of these remarkable events is available HERE. All copyright and reproduction rights are held by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, located in Canberra.

Media and publications about this event: 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-19/afghan-ambassador-broken-hill-mosque-islam-cameleers/102868840

https://barriertruth.com.au/tag/australia-afghanistan-ties