KABUL – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan considers the report by the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force on violations of the Law of Armed Conflicts by some Australian special forces in Afghanistan, released today by the Australian Chief of the Defence Force, a necessary step towards ensuring transparency and implementing legal processes as well as ensuring justice and addressing the cases of illegal conduct.
The Prime Minister of Australia, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence and the Australian Chief of Defence Force sent official letters to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense, the National Security Adviser and the Chief of Staff of the Afghan Army, acknowledging the report and expressing their disgust and aversion to those violations of the Law of Armed Conflicts by members of the Australian special forces in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. On behalf of the Government and People of Australia, they apologized to both the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for these violations, and assured the Government of Afghanistan of their compliance with the recommendations of the Afghanistan Inquiry, providing justice and compensation to the families of the victims.
While the Government and the people of Afghanistan are grateful for the full and continued support of the Australian Government over the past 19 years, it, in unison with the Australian Government, strongly condemns these violations and considers them indefensible, and deems the publication of the report and the appointment of a Special Investigator to address these incidents, as important steps towards achieving justice.
The Government of Afghanistan appreciates the expression of regret and sympathy by the Australian authorities and for their condolences to the people of Afghanistan, and thanks them for their reassurance to the Afghan Government that they will provide the victims of these incidents with reparations. Both Governments will work closely together to ensure that the recommendations of the Afghanistan Inquiry are met, justice is provided and compensation is paid to the victims.
On the 2nd of November 2020, a heinous and terrible attack occurred against the people of Afghanistan. Gunmen terrorists attacked Kabul University, killing and injuring students and staff. This disgraceful attack targets not only the lives of the Afghan people, but their hope, freedom and future. By targeting Afghanistan’s brightest centre of learning, the perpetrators of this horrible act are trying to take away Afghanistan’s brightest emerging minds, that will in the future lead the country to peace, prosperity and tolerance.
The condemnation of this terrible attacks has been unanimous from all corners of the world, decrying the evil motives of those responsible and supporting the Afghan people and government in these trying times. We thank all those who have graciously sent us their condolences, displayed below, and endeavour to seek justice for the crimes committed against our country.
~~~
MESSAGES
"Australia joins the world in condemning the terrorist attack at Kabul University. As Afghanistan observes a Day of Mourning, our thoughts are with families & friends of those killed. The people of Afghanistan deserve a future free from violence."
Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Foreign Minister and Minister for Women
"The High Comission of the Republic of Fiji in Canberra conveys on behalf of His Excellency Major-General (Ret'd) Jioji Konusi Konrote, President, the Government and the people of the Republic of fiji deepest condolence and sympathy in respect of the loss of lives and injuries sustained as a result of the terrorist attack on Kabul University on 2 November 2020."
The High Comission of the Republic of Fiji, Canberra
"On behalf of the NSW Legislative Assembly, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of those killed and injured by the terrorist attack that occurred at Kabul University on 2 November 2020."
The Hon. Jonathan O’Dea MP, Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly
“We are saddened to receive the news that many people have lost their lives and many were injured in the heinous terrorist attack at Kabul University on November 02, 2020. We wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives, swift recovery to the injured and convey our condolences to the friendly and brotherly people and Government of Afghanistan. We are deeply concerned about the recent increase in the number of terrorist acts targeting civilians as well as educational institutions and religious sites.”
Embassy of Turkey, Canberra
“The Embassy of Mexico presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and has the sad duty to express, on behalf of the People and Government of Mexico, its deepest sympathies and condolences to the People and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for the tragic loss of at least 22 people and the injury of others during the brutal and disgraceful assault by a gunman at Kabul University on the 2nd of November. The Embassy of Mexico avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the assurances of its highest consideration.”
Embassy of Mexico, Canberra
“We start in the name of Allah, praise be to Allah the Lord of the worlds, the Eternal and Everlasting One Who is attributed with Life without annihilation. May Allah increase the honour of our Master Muhammad, his kind Al and companions and protect his nation from what he fears for them. As Chairman of Darulfatwa - The Islamic High Council of Australia, my board and member representatives of over twenty Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Muslim organizations in Australia, we whole heartedly and with great sorrow on this sad occasion deliver a message of condolence and supplication to the families and loved ones of those who perished in the horrifying attack by terrorists on Kabul University. This cowardly ISIS claimed attack, took the innocent lives of at least 22 mostly students and 22 others were severely injured. We offer our sincere condolences for the deceased, asking Allah for all those injured a complete and speedy recovery, and for their relatives and dear ones a recompense in their calamity. With sincere condolences,”
Prof. Sheikh Salim Alwan Al-Hussayni, Chairman, Darulfatwa Australia
“I am very sad to learn about the dozens of students lost their life in horrific terrorist attack at Kabul University and dozens are injured. I would like to express my sincere condolences to their families as well as people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. I wish the speedy recovery of those injured. Nepal strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,
committed by whoever and for whatsoever purposes.”
Mahesh Raj Dahal, Ambassador, Embassy of Nepal, Canberra
“On behalf of the Government of New Zealand, I wish to send our heartfelt condolences the friendly people of Afghanistan, and in particular the families of the victims. New Zealand condemns all acts of terrorism, particularly attacks which target innocent civilians. New Zealand stands in solidarity with you and we wish the injured a speedy recovery. Me te aroha tino nui atu.”
Stuart Horne, Divisional Manager, Middle East and Africa Division, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Wellington
“We strongly condemn this heinous terrorist attack on the innocent young students and convey our deepest condolences. May the Almighty grant bereaved families strength to face this tragedy with courage and fortitude. India stand firmly with the friendly and brotherly people of Afghanistan at this time of grief and sorrow.
A. Gitesh Sharma, High Commissione, Indian High Commission, Canberra
"On behalf of the Palestinian leadership and the Palestinian people, please convey my deepest condolences to the Government and the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the loss of 22, mostly, students. Also, please convey our sympathy with the families of those students who have been severely injured, during the brutal and terrorist attack on Kabul University on November 2020. Our prayers and thought are with the families of the victims in these sad moments and our best wishes for a speedy recovery of the injured ones.
Izzat Abdulhadi, Ambassador of the State of Palestine, The Head of the General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, Canberra
On behalf of the Embassy of the United States of America in Canberra we offer our heartfelt condolences following the recent terror attack at Kabul University and the loss of 22 innocent lives. The thoughts of the entire U.S. Mission in Australia are with the families of the victims, the injured and the people of Kabul at this difficult time.”
Protocol Office, U.S. Embassy, Canberra
“On behalf of the European Union and personally I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy for the victims of the cruel terrorist attack on Kabul University. The European Union strongly condemns this vicious assault, targeting young students who studied to work for a better future for themselves and their country Afghanistan. We fully support all efforts to hold these perpetrators to account. My thoughts are with the families of the victims.”
Dr Michael Pulch, Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union to Australia, Canberra
“On behalf of the Australian Multicultural Foundation, I wish to express our sincere condolences on the most tragic death of Innocent students and send our best wishes to those who have been severely injured by this senseless and brutal assault by terrorists on Kabul University. We mourn with the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on this very sad day.
Dr Hass Dellal AO, Executive Director, Australian Multicultural Foundation
“On behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of Malta, I express my deepest sympathy and condolences to the Government and People of Afghanistan, for the young lives that were lost and those who were injured during the terrorist attack at the Kabul University on 2 November 2020. Our solidarity and prayers are with them in this time of reckoning and grief.”
Charles Muscat, High Commissioner, Maltese High Commission, Canberra
“Dear Embassy and the public of Afghanistan living both within Australia and overseas, I write to offer my deepest condolences to all those affected by this horrifying terrorist attack at Kabul University on the 2nd November 2020. There is nothing more horrifying than sending off your children or loved ones to pursue their educations only to learn that due to inhumane and barbaric behaviour that has no place in our society, they will never return home once more. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected during this difficult time. Yours sincerely,”
Julia Finn MP, State Member for Granville
“On behalf of the Faculty of Arts, Monash University, we are greatly saddened by the devastating news of the recent terror attacks on Kabul University in Afghanistan. Please find our message of condolences to be included in the Book of Condolences. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.”
Professor Sharon Pickering, Dean of Arts, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Melbourne
“On behalf of the Embassy of France, please receive our condolences following the horrific terrorist attack at Kabul University. Our thoughts go to the victims’ families and loved ones and we wish those injured a speedy recovery. France stands in solidarity with the Afghan people and authorities at this difficult time.”
Julie Le Saos, Chargé d’affaires a.i., Embassy of France, Canberra
“Sincere Condolences from Fred in Kabul. More pointless killings from men with small minds.”
Fred Smith, Artist
“I am deeply saddened that young people studying for a better future for their country were subjected to this violence. My condolences to students and staff of the University for this tragedy.”
Melissa Conley Tyler, Research Fellow, Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne
“My heartfelt condolences to you and the people of Afghanistan following the dreadful news of multiples deaths and injuries following a brutal assault by gunmen terrorists on Kabul University. Such barbaric actions are intolerable at any time, and even more horrific when the targets are innocent young people in a place of learning. My thoughts are with you and your country.”
Julian Hill MP, Federal Member for Bruce
“My heartfelt condolences on the loss of my beloved Afghan young boys and girls over a terrorist attack at Kabul University, leaving 22 people killed and 22+ wounded in the capital city. This attack and the one before such as killing innocent babies prior they open their eyes in this world reminds us that terror and terrorist have reached the highest level of aggression, the proxy war, and the most inhuman way to kill innocent Muslim under the name of Islam that they possibly could. Once again I pray to the soul of the lost ones and wish a quick recovery to the injured.”
Fahim Hashimy, Film Maker, Adelaide
“Please accept my humble condolences for the cowardly attack on innocent Afghan students by terrorists who for decades have inflicted so much needless suffering on people of all faiths around the world. Nothing can bring back the lives that these misguided individuals have taken away. I can only say that people of goodwill feel deeply for you in this terrible time. These murders underline once again the urgent need for a collective response by Western nations, and others, to the ongoing instability that is afflicting so many nations around the world, and the injustices the come with it. We have made many mistakes in the past, but wiser, more humane responses, now and in the future, can help to heal this pain, and make the world a better place for all of us.
Dr Christopher Kremmer Senior Lecturer & Student Integrity Adviser, School of the Arts & Media, UNSW, Sydney
“The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Canberra presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canberra and on the occasion of a tragic death of the innocent people, due to a brutal assault on Kabul University, is offering its deepest condolences. May the God give peace to their souls. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan during this very sad moments. The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Canberra avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canberra the assurances of its highest consideration.”
Embassy of the Republic of Serbia, Canberra
“Please accept my sincere condolences to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan following the atrocity at Kabul University. My thoughts are with all those impacted by this cowardly attack.”
Councillor Christine Forster, City of Sydney
“Please accept my condolences in respect of the tragic loss of life at Kabul University. It is deeply saddening to see this act of mindless brutality, particularly at a place of learning which should be a source of growth and flourishing young minds. I am of course aware of the very long struggle in Afghanistan for peace and stability and I support you in this endeavour. Your nation is one with a diverse and proud heritage, and enormous potential; and your country is one of truly outstanding beauty. I also want to recognise your heartfelt support for the people of Christchurch when we suffered an equally brutal attack – showing that we must be alert to terror and extremism everywhere. I look forward to continuing to support you in your work to build relationships for the benefit of the people of Afghanistan”
Dr Duncan Webb MP, Christchurch
“We were shocked and saddened by news of this brutal attack. The loss of students’ lives is especially painful: the future that was theirs has been torn from them. Our hearts go out to al, our Afghan friends, and especially to the families who have lost their loved ones.”
Jan and Ric Smith
“As one who first visited Kabul University in 1995 and has lectured there frequently, I share the grief of those who mourn the loss of loved ones in the atrocity of 2 November 2020. May their families and friends find strength in these dark times.”
Professor William Maley, AM FASSA FAIIA
“Our sincere, heartfelt condolences goes to the families of all affected by this terrible act of terror. Our hearts aches to hear this news. While we condemn this barbaric act of terror, our prayer goes to all people affected.”
Saviz Savisyar, CEO/Founder, Bizspot Platform
“On behalf of the International Organization of Migration (IOM) in Canberra, I would like to express our deepest condolences on the tragic loss of lives during the recent assault at the Kabul University.
On behalf of all IOM staff I send our deepest condolences to their families and to the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan at this difficult time.”
Pär Liljert, Chief of Mission – Australia; Coordinator & Advisor for New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, International Organization for Migration, Canberra
“On behalf of the Embassy of the State of Kuwait, I would like to convey my utmost heartfelt condolences to the government of Afghanistan and to the families of the deceased. We are very sad to hear of such an atrocious attack on the young and innocent students which is a loss to many. I convey my condolences again and pray for those innocent students/citizens of Afghanistan and hope their families get through these tough times.”
Mohammed Al-Oraifan, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of the State of Kuwait, Canberra
“The Embassy of Ecuador offers its sincerest condolences to the victims and their families of the brutal attack on Kabul University. The Embassy of Ecuador expresses its hope for a quick recovery of those injured by the attack. Ecuador stands with the people of Afghanistan during this time.”
Embassy of Ecuador, Canberra
“On behalf of the Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Canberra, kindly accept my heartful condolences following the passing away of the innocent students at Kabul University, and speedy recovery for the wounded. I would like to extend my deepest sorrow and sympathy to their families, friends and the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. May their souls rest in peace.”
Adli Alkhaledi, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Jordan, Canberra
“On behalf of the High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and on my own behalf, I strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack on the Kabul University. Our thoughts and prayers are for those who lost valuable lives and the injured. We express solidarity with the Afghan people in this hour of sorrow and grief. Our heartfelt condolences for the members of the bereaved families and of those who lost lives and the injured. Pakistan would continue to support Afghan efforts for building peace and security in their country.”
Babar Amin, High Commissioner, High Commission of I.R. Pakistan, Canberra
“On behalf of the Embassy and Government of Norway, let me express my most profound and deep condolences to the Embassy and people and government of Afghanistan for the terrible loss of innocent lives in the cowardly terrorist attack on Kabul University students. Norway will continue to stand in solidarity with the women and men of Afghanistan against extremism and the forces of violence and terror, also as a member of NATO and the UN Security Council.”
Paul G. Larsen, Ambassador, Embassy of Norway, Canberra
“On behalf of the staff of the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus and my own behalf, please accept our sincere condolences for the brutal assault by gunmen terrorist on Kabul University, that resulted in the death of 22 students. Please convey to the family and friends of the innocent students our deepest sympathy. Our prayers and thoughts are with the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, these very tragic and difficult times. May their memory be eternal.”
Martha Mavrommatis, High Commissioner, High Commission of Cyprus, Canberra
“On behalf of the Staff at Embassy of Libya and on my own, I would like to offer my deep condolences to the government and people of Afghanistan as well as the families of the innocent victims who were killed due to the sad attack on Kabul University.”
Ali Burawi, Counsellor, Libyan Embassy, Canberra
“On behalf of the government and people of Iraq, I would like to extend my deep condolences and sympathies to Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Afghan nation for the horrific terrorist attack that targeted innocent souls in Kabul University. Iraq stands besides Afghanistan in these difficult times, and shares the grief of your people. May ALLAH Almighty rest their souls in peace and grant recovery for the injured.”
Haidar Al-Dahlaki, Counselor/Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of Iraq, Canberra
“As Special Representative for Afghanistan, my sincere condolences on behalf of the Australian Government. The murderous attack on the students and staff of Kabul University on 2 November have shocked us all, even as violence against the people of Afghanistan continues at an intolerable rate – while everyone hopes for progress in the Afghanistan Peace Negotiations. Terrorism against education, in the name of religion, is evil. Our hearts go out to the wounded, and to the families of those killed. May they rest in peace.”
Ian Biggs, Assistant Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canberra
“On behalf of the Russian Embassy in Australia I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of Afghanistan. It was a cowardly and hideous terrorist act. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the bereaved families.”
Alexei Pavlovsky, Ambassador, Russian Embassy, Canberra
“Timor-Leste expresses its deepest condolences to the people of Afghanistan for the loss of lives from such horrific acts of violence. We sincerely hope that peace can be restored in your country.”
Ines Almeida, Ambassador, Embassy of Timor-Leste, Canberra
“I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the terrible terrorist attack at the Kabul University and wish those injured a speedy recovery. Poland condemns all forms of violence and extreme actions contradicting the idea of understanding and tolerance.Please accept our deepest sympathy and solidarity.”
Michał Kołodziejski, Ambassador, Polish Embassy, Canberra
“On behalf of the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro Moros, the Venezuelan government and its people, we convey to you our deepest condolences to the government and people of the brotherly Afghanistan on the brutal assault by gunmen terrorists on Kabul University and join you in the mourning of the Afghan nation. We also express our words of solidarity and deep respect to the families of the 22 students that were killed and the 22 severely injured.
Daniel Gasparri Rey, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Venezuela, Canberra
“On behalf of the High Commission of Sri Lanka, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones and affected by the brutal terrorist attack in Kabul University on 2nd Nov. 2020. Our thoughts and prayers are with the government and the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan during this hour of grief.”
D.D.M Senarath B. Dissanayake, Acting High Commissioner, High Commission of Sri Lanka, Canberra
“On behalf of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I render sincere condolences to the government of great nation of brother country Afghanistan. Definitely, this terrorist attack to Kabul University is condemned and the perpetrators should be trialed. I beseech Allah Almighty the lofty position for the martyrs and patience for the families of the martyrs.”
Dr Mohammed Powrnajaf, First Counsellor, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Canberra
“On behalf of the High Commission of Kenya in Canberra, I wish to convey our message of condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims, the people and the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for the loss of innocent lives following the heinous attack by gunmen terrorists on Kabul University. Kenya stands in solidarity with Afghanistan and condemns with the strongest terms the heinous attack. We wish those injured a speedy recovery.”
Betty Chemoiwa, Counsellor, Kenyan High Commission, Canberra
“The whole Georgia was shocked and deeply saddened over the horrific terrorist act committed by a gunman at the Kabul University which took the lives of 22 students and injured many. We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks which represent the gravest crime against humanity and target world peace. We truly share the grief of the friendly Afghan people. Prayers and thoughts of the Georgian people are with families and all affected by this tragedy. Please accept my sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy.”
George Dolidze, Ambassador, Georgian Embassy, Canberra
“I would like to express my most sincere condolences on behalf of the UK government. This loss of life is a tragedy and such acts of violence must not prevail. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Afghanistan and the families and friends of those who perished or whose lives have been immeasurably changed. We must all continue to uphold our values in the fact of acts of terrorism.”
Ingrid Southworth, Deputy High Commissioner, British High Commission, Canberra
“We strongly condemn the deadly assault at Kabul University. Our deep condolences to the Embassy, People and Government of brotherly and friendly Afghanistan. We wish fast recovery to all injured and express our solidarity with friendly Afghanistan Embassy.”
Ramil Gourbanov, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Canberra
“I want to express my sincerely condolences for the tragic loss of life in the attack at Kabul University. Such attacks on youth seeking education are an outrage and incomprehensible. Our thoughts and prayers go to the people and government of Afghanistan.
Mark Glauser, High Commissioner, High Commission of Canada, Canberra
“On behalf of the people and the Government of the ACT I wish to express my sincere condolences on the loss of the lives of the 22 students of the Kabul University on the 2nd November 2020. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and with those injured in the attack.
Brendan Smyth, ACT Commissioner for International Engagement, Canberra
“On behalf of the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina, I condemn this terrorist attack against the youth and the people of brotherly Afghanistan in the strongest terms. The ISIS is the enemy of mankind, Islam and peace. The enemy of Afghanistan is the enemy of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well. We know what is it like to have killed dozens of people in a second. Bosnia knows and cries.”
Mirza Hajric, Ambassador, Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canberra
“On behalf of the Officers and Staff of the High Commission of Malaysia in Canberra, I extend our deepest condolences to the Government and the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the terrible loss of lives in the cowardly attack at Kabul University. May Allah the Almighty place them among the chosen ones.”
Mohd Fareed Zakaria, Acting High Commissioner, High Commission of Malaysia, Canberra
“In the name of the People and Government of the Republic of the Sudan, let me offer my sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to you over the innocent students who were killed in a brutal assault, and May they rest in peace. “
Ahmed Farah, Counsellor/Chargé D'affaires, Embassy of Sudan, Canberra
“I extend my deepest condolences, sympathies, and heartfelt solidarity to the families of the victims and all who have been affected by this despicable act of terror at Kabul University. I resolutely condemn all acts of terrorism and cannot help but feel strong indignation to those responsible for this heinous crime. This act of cowardice was an attack on humankind’s endeavour to discover. It will not succeed. Please accept my sincerest condolences to the people of Afghanistan, especially to the families of those who died in the attack.”
Lachlan J. Evans
“On behalf of all the staff and students at Monash Gender, Peace and Security Centre please accept our deepest condolences for the tragic loss of students and teachers in the terrible attacks at Kabul University. We were extremely sad to learn that three Afghans for Progressive Thinking (APT) debate club members lost their lives in these attacks. Our youth debating series with APT this year, ‘Toward Inclusive Peace’ has been the bright star in amidst a global pandemic and the peace process in Afghanistan. It has been so inspiring for us and for our Monash students to debate with Afghan young leaders. We remain steadfast in our solidarity with Afghanistan and our commitment to promoting youth leadership, gender equality and peace. Below colleagues from Monash Gender, Peace and Security Centre share their messages with the Afghan community, especially the family members, work colleagues and friends of those killed and maimed at Kabul University.”
Professor Jacqui True, Monash University, Melbourne
“Words cannot describe how devastated I am for you having lost your colleagues and friends under these horrific circumstances. I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Please continue your fight for justice and peace in Afghanistan in their honour, as it is what they would have wanted you to do.”
Dr. Alexandra Phelan, Monash University, Melbourne
“I am so sorry for the devastating loss of life at Kabul University, including those who were at the forefront of advocating for peace, tolerance and inclusion. I hope the memory of what they stood for and paved the way for - within and beyond Afghanistan - helps to console you in your darkest hours. We stand with you in love and solidarity and our thoughts and prayers will remain with you.”
Dr. Eleanor Gordon, Monash University, Melbourne
“These young lives were lost to the enemies of peace and justice. We deeply grieve with their families whose only comfort can be our commitment not to forget their sacrifice, and to continue to do all we can to support those struggling to end such atrocities in Afghanistan.”
Professor Sharman Stone, Monash University, Melbourne
“To the academics, students and affected families of Kabul University, I am sending my sincerest condolences, solidarity and outrage. Words are not enough to convey our sorrow but know that we are standing with you,”
Dr. Samanthi Gunawardana, Monash University, Melbourne
“Innalillahi wainailaihi roojiun. I express my deepest condolences to the tragedy that befell 22 students of Kabul University. The incident was an extraordinary crime against humanity. However, hopefully the university academic community and the victims' families will remain steadfast and have the spirit to build peace in Afghanistan.”
Ms Irine Hiraswari Gayatri, PhD candidate, Monash University, Melbourne
“I would like to send my condolences to the family of the brutal attacks’ victims. I feel so sad that we have lost these brilliant youngsters because of the inhumane attack. The memory of their enthusiasm and progressive minds will always be remembered and hopefully inspire others to keep on fighting for peace and better security in Afghanistan and the world. It was an honour to see their bright ideas during the policy debates held by APT, Monash GPS and MIAS. It is so sad that we have to lose these bright hopes for the future due to the unspeakable brutality. Monash GPS is also mourning as they are the part of our community, a community focusing on human rights and gender equality issues.”
Ms. Nuri Widiastuti Veronika, PhD candidate, Monash University, Melbourne
“My heartfelt sympathies with our fellow students and colleagues at Kabul University, and the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic event. So deeply saddened and shocked. Thinking of everyone affected.”
Ms. Susanne Kozak, PhD Candidate, Monash University, Melbourne
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the horrific attacks at Kabul University. On behalf of the PhD students at Monash GPS, please accept our sincerest condolences and know that our thoughts are with you through this difficult time.”
Monash GPS PhD student cohort, Monash University, Melbourne
“I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the families and community of the victims of the brutal attack. As an individual that has had much experience with violence and brutality from my own country context and as part of the Monash GPS that strives for the rights and human security of all people, I am deeply saddened by this incident and hope those who lost their lives would forever be remembered.”
Ms. Nedha de Silva, PhD candidate, Monash University, Melbourne
“The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Australia and has the honor to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to all those affected by terror attack on Kabul University on 03 November 2020. The Philippine Government joins the international community in condemning all acts of terrorism. Our prayers are with the Government of Afghanistan and your people during this difficult time. The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Australia the assurances of its highest consideration.”
Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, Canberra
“The High Commission of the Republic of Ghana presents its compliments to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and on the sad occasion of the passing away and injury of students during an attack on Kabul University and has the honour to convey to the Government and people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the affected families, sincere condolences of the Government and People of the Republic of Ghana. The Acting High Commissioner and the entire Staff of the High Commission of the Republic of Ghana stand in solidarity with the Staff of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in these difficult times. The High Commission of the Republic of Ghana avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the assurances of its highest consideration.”
High Commission of the Republic of Ghana, Canberra
“On behalf of the People and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to express our deepest condolence to the families who lost their loved ones in Afghanistan during a brutal assault by gunmen terrorists on Kabul University during study hours on 2nd November 2020 and killed 22 students and others severely injured. May this sad event be prevented from re-occurrence and the souls of the departed rest in peace.”
H.T. Abang, Minister Counsellor, Nigerian High Commission, Canberra
“I would like to extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims and all who have been affected by this horrific and senseless shooting on Kabul University on the 2nd November 2020. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the people of Afghanistan during this sad time.”
Carl Popal, Executive Chairman, Eclipse Metals Ltd, Perth.
"Condolences to the victims, their families, fellow students and academic staff at Kabul University, who have been affected by the terrorism attacks in Oct-Nov 2020."
Peace Build, the ACT non-profit organisation
"Sincerest condolences on that tragic occasion, praying for the blessing of the souls of those who were killed and speedy recovery for the injured, and wishing Afghanistan and its people the best of stability and prosperity."
Ambassador Milad Raad, Embassy of Lebenon in Australia
"Oh heart, if one should say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer that the flower withers, but the seed remains." - Kahlil Gibran. Our souls are hardened of pain on hearing of the two tragic incidents in educational centres in less than two weeks. I fall short of words to express my sorrow for the tens of innocent lives lost and injured. In these difficult times, our thoughts and prayers are with all the fellow compatriot families; may the Almighty grant his soul peace and all the strength to these families and our nation to face these dark times. With my heartfelt condolence and sympathy,
M. Hussain Danesh, Danesh Exchange, Dandenong, Melbourne
A Collaboration Agreement between Kabul Polytechnique University of Afghanistan and the International Water Centre (IWC) of Australia was signed on 6 October 2020 during a virtual teleconference held between Kabul and Canberra with attendance of officials and academic counterparts from both countries.
The signing ceremony was held few weeks after the commencement of the first Master Programme on Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) in Afghanistan with collaboration of IWC and Griffith University of Australia.
Recalling the Afghan higher education delegation Australia visit in November 2018 as a stepping stone for this initiative, Ambassador Wahidullah Waissi welcomed the signing of the agreement and highlighted the importance of Master Program on IWRM as one of the most crucial areas of capacity building needs for Afghan young professionals. He hoped that the project to be fully implemented.
The Master programme has already been started on 13 September based on a Memorandum of Understating (MoU) between Kabul Polytechnic University, International Water Centre and Griffith University of Australia that was signed in Kabul on 19 July 2019.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the programme is designed in mixture format where participants will have the flexibility of both virtual and physical attendance.
Funded by Asian Development Bank and supported by Australian expertise, the program will provide higher education opportunity for dozens of Kabul Polytechnic University students and engineers from Ministry of Energy and Water of Afghanistan on IWRM by Australian and Afghan professors and experts.
The higher education cooperation between Australia and Afghanistan was better shaped since the first historic visit by H.E President of Afghanistan in April 2017 and is more focused on the key areas of economic development including mines and minerals, agriculture and dryland farming and water resource management.
The 14th of October 2020 marks the 1-year anniversary of the fantastically received and unique performance of the Zohra Orchestra in front of a packed Sydney Opera House audience. The heartfelt performance of Zohra, Afghanistan’s first entirely female musical Orchestra, in one of the world’s most distinctive and prestigious music venues, represented a new era of friendship between the Afghan and Australian peoples, and displayed the everlasting hope, resilience, and progress of Afghan culture, women and youth. The performance was part of the Embassy of Afghanistan’s celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Afghanistan-Australia relations and centenary of the reclamation of Afghan independence. We invite you to commemorate this occasion, to reflect on this brilliant display of Afghan culture and inauguration of new progress in people-to-people ties with Australia and to enjoy this performance of classical Afghan and Western music played by the emerging pioneers of the promotion of Afghan culture worldwide.
The Zohra Orchestra was created in 2015 by the founder and director of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM), Dr Ahmad Sarmast, and is made up of Afghanistan’s young female musical talent playing traditional Afghan and Western instruments. ANIM was itself created in 2008 in Kabul with the goal of reigniting the enduring flame that is Afghanistan’s music, which had found itself extinguished during the cultural dark age of Taliban control. The orchestra, under Dr Sarmast’s tutelage, won in 2017 the Queen Soraya Award and Freemuse Award, and in 2018 the Montluc Résistance et Liberté Prize. The Orchestra has notably performed at the World Economic Forum, the British Museum and the University of Oxford. Its performance in the Sydney Opera House, undoubtedly the Southern Hemisphere’s most iconic musical venue, marked the first time it has hosted a performance of any Afghan group or musician.
The concert at the Sydney Opera House was a powerful event during a remarkable year for both Afghanistan-Australia relations and all Afghans worldwide. In 1919, a century before the concert, Afghanistan reclaimed its sovereignty and established itself among the global community of free and independent nations. In 1969, Afghanistan and Australia formally established diplomatic relations. However, this was not the beginning of the two countries’ long and fruitful friendship. In 1860, the first of the Afghan cameleers arrived in Australia, marking the beginning of an era of cultural exchange and exploration, as the cameleers pioneered new paths through the harsh Australian outback, linking together remote communities, charting new routes and providing the backbone of the gold rush. The Cameleers, Australia’s first Muslims lived, prayed, married and died in the outback, with their descendants carrying on their legacy even today. The performance of the Zohra Orchestra marks the present extent of Afghan-Australian cross-cultural and people-to-people ties, which have flourished and growin since 1860.
It was also an opportunity for the Australian public to experience the seldom-mentioned art of Afghan music. Afghanistan, inhabited by great civilisations spanning back thousands of years, maintains a rich and diverse tradition of music, tying together communities and cultures across the country’s mountain ranges, passes, fields, forests and deserts. From Attan in Afghanistan’s south and east, the Falak tradition among the jagged peaks of Badakhshan province to the tea-house music of the North, the diversity, uniqueness, living tradition and beauty of Afghan culture is resounding. Poetic traditions tie together the instrumental and vocal elements of the music, expressing the rich and ancient stories that music tells. The transformative and emotional power of music was also on display, one year ago, as the young female performers used music to express their identities as young Afghan women, living during hopeful, yet uncertain times.
The Zohra Orchestra’s impactful and emotive performance was testament to the vast progress that Afghan women, youth and culture has made in the past two decades. It also illustrated the absolute necessity of keeping Afghanistan’s rich culture alive and empowering the roles and voices of women in society. During the dark ages of Taliban rule, women were systematically repressed, not being allowed to develop, learn and live as basic human rights express. Music and entertainment were also banned. It is now imperative that, leading into uncertain times for Afghanistan and its people, with peace talks between the government and the Taliban underway, that the fundamental rights of women and girls are upheld. Without that, the rich cultural heritage, resolute bravery and soulful hope displayed one year ago by the members of the Zohra Orchestra may be lost forever. Their message of resilience and identity brings together the wishes of the entire Afghan people, for peace, fairness, progress and prosperity for all.
Read more about the last year's event in Australian media outlet:
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/afghanistan-s-all-female-orchestra-is-hoping-to-revive-music-banned-under-the-taliban
https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/musicshow/zohra-afghanistan-all-female-orchestra-australian-tour/11589662
https://www.abc.net.au/classic/read-and-watch/news/first-all-female-orchestra-from-afghanistan-tours-australia/11590106
https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/from-kabul-orphanages-to-the-opera-house-all-female-afghan-orchestra-debuts-in-australia
https://www.culturalpulse.com.au/afghanistans-all-female-ensemble-zohra-orchestra-set-to-tour-australia/
https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/to-show-the-beauty-of-afghanistan-all-female-afghan-orchestra-challenges-tradition-20191004-p52xmc.html
https://www.curvemag.com/events/performance/meet-zohra-afghanistans-first-all-female-orchestra/
https://tolonews.com/arts-culture/afghan-orchestra-plays-world-class-opera-house
https://www.gandhicreations.com.au/post/zohra-orchestra-reflecting-on-the-power-of-music-to-craft-identities-unite-cultures-and-save-lives
https://baztab.news/article/1175866
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/audiotrack/afghanistans-all-female-orchestra-helps-revive-music-banned-under-taliban
https://www.governor.nsw.gov.au/photo-galleries/zohra-orchestra/
https://cityhubsydney.com.au/2019/10/zohra-orchestra-all-female-ensemble-of-afghanistan/
https://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/all-female-afghanistan-orchestra-coming-to-sydney/
https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/events/past-events/Contemporary-Music/2019/zohra-orchestra.html
http://www.buddhistcouncil.org/events/zohra-orchestra-all-female-ensemble-of-afghanistan/
On 25 August 2020, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canberra organized a friendly reception at the Hayat Hotel in Canberra for few members of the Australia-Afghanistan Parliamentary Friendship Group, namely Mr Andrew Wallace MP and Chair of the Group, Mr Julian Hill MP and Vice Chair of the Group, Ms Angie Bell MP, Mr Josh Wilson MP, Mr Tony Zappia MP, Mr Luke Gosling OAM MP and Senator Louise Pratt.
HE Wahidullah Waissi, Ambassador of Afghanistan to Australia and non-resident Ambassador to New Zealand and Fiji, welcomed the MPs and Senator Pratt to the event and appreciated their engagement, dedication and continued support in bilateral relationship and backing the Afghan Government’s ongoing efforts towards lasting peace, stability and democratic governance.
Mr Andrew Wallace, on behalf of the group, thanked the Embassy of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for the warm hospitality extended to the members of the group who made it to attend and reiterated the strong support and enthusiasm of all members of the group for enduring partnership between Australia and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on various fields.
The participants deliberated on a range of topics of mutual interests including the Afghan peace process, the impacts of COVID-19 on Afghan society and economy, future of Australian assistance and engagement with Afghanistan and people to people bonds between two friendly countries.
The Australia-Afghanistan Parliamentary Friendship Group was inaugurated on 6 December 2017 at Australian Parliament House. It comprises of 24 members from both chambers and major parties. The member list of the Australia-Afghanistan Parliamentary Friendship Group (AAPFG) is the following:
Mr Andrew WALLACE MP (CHAIR), LNP
Mr Julian HILL MP (VICE-CHAIR), ALP
Hon Kevin ANDREWS MP, LP
Ms Angie BELL MP, LNP
Sen Andrew BRAGG MP, LP
Hon Anthony BYRNE MP, ALP
Mr Vince CONNELLY MP, LP
Mr Milton DICK MP, ALP
The Hon Joel FITZGIBBON MP, ALP
Mr Steve GEORGANAS MP, ALP
Mr Patrick GORMAN MP, ALP
Mr Luke GOSLING OAM, MP, ALP
Sen Hollie HUGHES MP, LP
Mr Matt KEOGH MP, ALP
Sen Kimberley KITCHING MP, ALP
Hon Nola MARINO MP, LP
The Hon Brendan O’CONNOR MP, ALP
Ms Julie OWENS MP, ALP
Mr Graham PERRETT MP, ALP
The Hon Amanda RISHWORTH MP, ALP
The Hon Warren SNOWDON MP, ALP
Ms Maria VAMVAKINOU MP, ALP
Sen David VAN MP, LNP
Mr Josh WILSON MP, ALP
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
I am honoured to deliver this statement on the occasion of 101 anniversary of Afghanistan’s Independence Day. Despite COVID-19 disruption, I am grateful for all of you for making your time in joining us to the virtual celebration of this historic event.
I would like to begin with a message of sympathy with the families and friends of those who have lost their loved ones during this unprecedented pandemic. I also wish quick recovery to the affected ones. As the cure has not developed, the virus still hits cities, disturbs economies and changes the pattern of our lifestyles. Let me thank all those men and women who serve as medical staff, essential workers and security personnel who made big sacrifice during this difficult time while the rest of us stayed safe at homes.
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canberra is excited to celebrate the independence day across different cities in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji and engage members of all communities to join in the virtual activities while we observe COVID-19 regulations.
A century and a year ago in 19 August 1919, Afghans under the leadership of King Amanullah reclaimed Afghanistan’s independence. The reformist and visionary King set the foundations of modern Afghanistan on democracy, freedom, rule of law, gender equality and other constitutional values to which the Afghan nation still continue to fight and resist for to sustain and safeguard those values.
Last year both Afghanistan and Australia celebrated its 50 years of diplomatic relations through a series of successful events in deferent states of Australia as well as in Kabul. However, 2020, marks an extra special occasion as it observes the 160th anniversary of the arrival of Afghan cameleers to Australia, whose history and legacy the Embassy has been sharing this year. The contributions of these cameleers and their descendants is a true testament to the mutual friendship shared by Afghanistan and Australia. On this 101st Independence Day the Embassy will be carrying their message of peace and prosperity, and looks forward to the next chapter of Afghanistan’s future.
Afghanistan and Australia enjoy a steadfast bilateral and multilateral engagement. Since 2001, Australia’s partnership with Afghanistan has scaled up at different levels from security to economic development, health, education and women empowerment. Let me briefly reflect on the generous support and assistance of New Zealand to Afghanistan as well. Since 2003, New Zealand’s contribution in security and development sectors in Afghanistan has been substantial.
په آسترالیا، نوی زیلاند او فیجی کی میشت گرانو هیوادوالو:
تاسو ټولو ته زموږ د ګران هیواد د خپلواکۍ د بیرته اخیستلو کلیزې مبارکي وایم او په تیر کال کې د افغانستان او آسټرالیا د سیاسي اړیکو د پنځوسمی کلیزی د لمانځلو په برنامو کې د همکارو اتحادیو فعال ګډون او برخه اخیستنه او د سږ کال د هیواد د خپلواکۍ کلیزې په لمانځلو کې ستاسو له هڅو څخه په کلکه مننه کوم.
با استفاده از این فرصت اجازه دهید دو پیام جداگانه برای شما داشته باشم:
نخست طوریکه میدانید حفظ استقلال ، تمامیت ارضی و حاکمیت ملی افغانستان در طول تاریخ همواره سرخط کار دولت و ملت وطندوست افغانستان بوده است. طی دو دهه اخیر کشور ما حضور نظامی و مساعدتهای توسعه یی جامعه بین المللی را طبق تصامیم شورای امنیت سازمان ملل متحد و سایر نهاد های جهانی شاهد بوده است.
دولت جمهوری اسلامی افغانستان در حالیکه از فداکاری ها و مساعدت های شرکای بین المللی خود به شمول آسترالیا در مبارزه علیه تروریزم و افراطیت اظهار امتنان نموده و می نماید، از بدو حضور این نیروها و مساعدت های جامعه بین المللی گذار بسوی خود کفایی را در تمام برنامه های اولویت ملی خود مد نظر داشته و مجدانه آنرا تعقیب نموده و می نماید.
از جنوری سال ۲۰۱۵ بدینسو بار مسولیت دفاع از قلمرو، تمامیت ارضی و حاکمیت ملی افغانستان و رهبری تمام عملیات های رزمی بدوش نیروهای دلیر دفاعی و امنیتی کشور قرار دارد.
در عرصه اقتصادی نیز دولت افغانستان برنامه ها و پروژه های بزرگ اقتصادی و توسعه یی را درجهت کاهش فقر و نیل به توسعه اقتصادی در کشور طرح و تطبیق نموده و می نماید.
دوهم دا چی، سږکال په آسټرالیا کې د اوښبه افغانانو د لومړۍ ډلې د رارسیدو 160 کليزې سره برابر دی چې په 1860 کال کې دی براعظم ته راغلی و.
اوښبه افغانان هغه لومړني خلک وو چې اسلام یې آسترالیا ته راوړه.
هغوی د ژوند کولو لپاره نه یواځې د غان ټاونونو په نوم د اوسیدو لپاره ښارګوټي جوړ کړل، بلکه د غان په نوم د لومړي اورګاډي پټلۍ د جوړولو له لارې د براعظم د مختلفو برخو په پراختیا او اقتصادي ارتباط کې هم رول لوبولی.
د کووید۱۹ د محدودیتونو له امله، د افغانستان سفارت په دې مناسبت د خپل ټولنیز رسانی له لارې دا مهمه او تاریخي پیښه ولمانځله ترڅو دا مثبت پیغام ورسوي چې پدې هیوادونو کې د افغان کډوالۍ مثبت اړخونه حساب کیدی شي.
افغان دایاسپورا په آسټرلیا، نیوزیلینډ او فیجي کی د عامه اړیکو ژور او پراختیا کې رغنده رول لوبوي.
هریک شما در حقیقت سفرای فرهنگ، تاریخ، هنر و سایر داشته ها و ارزشهای ملی خود در کشور های میزبان هستید.
هر سال ما شاهد افتخارات بیشتری از افغانهای هموطن خود در عرصه های مختلف می باشیم و امید واریم این سلسله ادامه یابد.
همکاری شما در موفقیت برنامه های ملی مربوط به افغانستان مایه دلگرمی و افتخار است.
In conclusion, we are grateful to our International partners in particular Australia and New Zealand who are standing with us with courage and dedication bearing much sacrifices during difficult times of resilience. Our commitments to democracy and human dignity set forth in our Independence reclamation in 1919 remained unchanged. Safeguarding the gains, we jointly have had so far with the support of international community in the past 19 years in Afghanistan is vital.
Afghans, Islam and Australia from cameleers to the present day
Written and researched by Pamela Rajkowski OAM
Introduction
Aside from some pre-colonial contact between Makassan traders and the Aboriginal Yolgnu people in Arnhem Land, the start of Islam’s permanent presence in Australia was in the 1860s, with the arrival of Afghan cameleers who came and worked in the Australian outback as explorers and exporters. Large scale immigration of non-European Muslims to Australia only started with the dismantlement of the White Australia Policy, and the encouragement of multiculturalism. As of the 2016 census, Islam is the second largest religious grouping in Australia, with 604 200 Muslims living in Australia, or 2.6 percent of the population.
Afghan cameleers' mosques across Australia
The first four cameleers on Australian soil arrived in 1860 to assist on the Victorian government’s Burke and Wills expedition. These four Mohammedans [the universal term used until about the 1920s when it was replaced with Muslim or Islamic] and the camels originated from Peshawar, north-east India. After 1861 they did not establish any community.
1866 marks the arrival of the first commercial importation, funded by Thomas Elder of Beltana Station in South Australia, of 32 cameleers and 121 camels. The camels were purchased in camel markets in the Scinde and Rajasthan, and Kandahar in Afghanistan. The cameleers, contracted in the Scinde, Rajasthan and Afghanistan, were predominantly of Afghan descent and Moslem. Elder imported more Afghan cameleers and camels in 1884 and in 1893 to be used in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. In the 1880s to 1910s Afghan camel merchants were travelling back to India and Afghanistan to purchase and import more camels and cameleers to work in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. By the 1890s there were estimated to be about 1,000 Afghan cameleers in Western Australia and by 1901 3,000 overall in Australia.
The cameleers set up regular camel transport routes radiating out from depots in remote central locations and at railheads and married local women and set up families in Afghan camps or “ghan towns”. By the 1880s these Moslem haulers commenced erecting their spiritual centres, mosques, in their ghan camps or towns, in colonies across Australia. Camel community leaders or “jemidahs” or camel merchants required camel drivers to contribute to finance building the mosques frequently made of frail materials including wooden slabs or poles, mud walls, galvanised iron sheets and grasses for rooves. The call by the muezzin to prayer was heard from the 1880s to about the late 1920s across the outback. Eventually with more wealth accumulated in the cameleers’ population three large, permanent mosques were constructed. Today, the three permanent mosques are active, while the more remote mosques have been preserved or have disappeared. In total, about 16 mosques were erected across Australia by cameleers’ funds between 1884 and 1930s.
There were distinctive common characteristics noted in the Afghan cameleer mosques across Australia. Between the 1880s to the 1920s reporters, authors and travellers, such as in Coolgardie and Marree, recorded hearing the sound of the “call of the muezzin to prayer” across towns. There was no furniture in the interior of mosques. The faithful prayed on their prayer mats. No shoes were worn into the mosque. A “pond” or trough provided a source of water for ablutions. Inside a niche in the walls held the Koran. A picture of Mecca hung in each mosque. Particularly in the 1890s to 1910 a number of mullahs acting as “visiting priests” or “missionaries” sailed from Karachi to serve their distant faithful, at least in South Australia and Western Australia, who were far from home. As at the Adelaide and Broken Hill mosques there would be a separate smaller building, a kitchen. This was used for visiting mullahs, or holy men such as “sayids”, from distant countries or desert settlements visiting city mosques, and for cooking community feasts after the end of Ramadan. Trees such as date palms or fruit trees were planted in the grounds adjacent to the mosques. Today, the surviving mosques, active or preserved as historical memorials, built and funded by the Afghan cameleers, are visited by Australian tourists and overseas visitors. They are a part of the cameleers’ legacy and of Australia’s heritage.
South Australia
Marree/Hergott Springs: The “Ghan town” at Hergott Springs in northern South Australia was found by cameleers who moved from the camel depot at Beltana station to establish a new camel depot closer to the interior of the continent where camel transport was in great demand. By the 1870s the largest cameleer Ghan town in South Australia and Australia was known as “Little Asia” or “Little Afghanistan”. The site of the first Hergott Springs mosque, built in about 1884, was near natural springs or artesian water away from the town and on “Faiz Mahomet’s pad”. The building was a crude, rectangular structure of hand-made low bisque clay or mud walls, timber sticks as supports, and a cane thatched roof. The advantage of open walls was to allow breezes to cool the men at prayer during hot summer months. Nearby was the ablution pool filled with water supplied by an irrigation pipe system built by the wealthy camel driver and trader Sheik Abdul Kader. Wooden steps lead the washed worshippers from the pool to the entrance of the mosque. The spiritual leader was Mullah Assam Khan whose birthplace was Peshawar, located between Afghanistan and India. Date palms were planted near the ablution pond. This building lasted until about 1901.
After the first mosque became dilapidated the cameleers built by 1910 a second thatched roof mosque, called the “Mahomadan temple”. It had a larger ablution pool, a water tank, a wooden pole lined platform for standing on to do ablutions, and some brush fencing. It was located closer to Sheik Abduk Kader’s date plantation. Inside the floor was carpeted and prayer mats laid on the carpet. This building was used until the 1920s when it was replaced by the third mosque.
First mosque in Hergott Springs [Marree] on “Faiz Mahomet’s pad”. Source: Pamela Rajkowski OAM
By 1920 the Afghan cameleers funded a third mosque made of more permanent materials, such as walls of galvanised iron sheets and pine poles, a pitched iron roof and a wood lined ablution pool. A verandah over the entrance was shaded by tall trees. When this mosque became disused it was pulled down. Local Afghan descendants recycled the sheets of galvanised iron in their own homes in Marree’s Ghan town. The carpets were taken to the Afghan mosque in Adelaide.
The second mosque in Marree built closer to Sheik Abdul Kader’s date plantation. Source: State Library of South Australia https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+1534
In the early 1930s the Marree holy man Syed Goolamadeen, in white, stands beside the ablution pool of Marree’s iron mosque. Photo Source: Pamela Rajkowski OAM
Since the 2010s in Marree a replica of the first mosque stands in the second main street on the Ghan side of the town. It was a project from funds raised by Afghan cameleer descendants.
The replica of the first mosque in Marree’s second main street.
Adelaide
The “jemidar” of the first cameleers to arrive at Beltana station in 1866, Faiz Mahomet of Kandahar, also eventually an owner of camel strings and camel importer and employer of cameleers, managed the Afghan cameleers at Beltana station and at Hergott Springs from the 1870s to 1880s. Seeing that many would be permanently residing in Australia he wanted to provide them with a permanent mosque, a “home away from home”, as a spiritual centre where they could receive charity and care. In 1887 Faiz Mahomet purchased a piece of land for 450 pounds from the Adelaide City Corporation in Little Gilbert Street in the south-west corner of Adelaide. The square blue stone building with a stately dome was constructed over two years and opened in 1890. The grounds included an ablution pool with a fountain in its centre. Hadji Mullah Merbain, born in Kandahar, came from Coolgardie to be the first mullah in the Adelaide mosque. As the mosque’s mortgage was unlikely to be paid off in its two year time limit in 1893 Abdul Wade / Wadi, another wealthy camel merchant, camel importer and employer of cameleers in New South Wales, paid off the mosque’s mortgage debt with 293 pounds so that the mosque stayed in the hands of his fellow countrymen. He became the trustee of the mosque.
Cameleers funds financed the extensions of the Adelaide mosque. Camel drivers gave ten shillings a year and camel merchants gave one pound a year. By 1901 to 1903 funds, including a significant amount donated by Basha Gool, a Western Australian camel owner, afforded the addition of four red brick minarets, painted white, and a high red brick wall.
The Adelaide mosque or “Afghan chapel” was the first permanent mosque in Australia, the first city mosque and is the oldest permanent mosque in Australia.
By the 1940s the population of Afghan cameleers declined, and their sons took on different occupations, so there was no need for more Afghan cameleers to migrate to Australia. Few followers of the Moslem faith visited the Adelaide mosque. From the 1950s the congregation of the Adelaide City mosque was boosted by Muslims arriving from Bosnia, Yugoslavia, Pakistan, Africa and Indonesia.
The Adelaide mosque sketched in July 1890. Hadji Mullah Merbain, with a tall white turban and walking stick, stands near the centre. Four minarets were added in 1901 – 4. Source: Pamela Rajkowski OAM
Today the Adelaide City mosque, seen here with the white painted minarets and tall red brick wall, is state heritage listed. Source: Pamela Rajkowski OAM
Western Australia
Coolgardie: The development of the Western Australian goldfields in the 1880s and 1890s attracted hundreds of Afghan cameleers and camels. Jemidar Faiz Mahomet, Tagh Mahomet and other South Australian cameleers travelled to the goldfields and eventually independent camel owners sailed to Karachi to collect camels with camel handlers to bring into Western Australia. By 1892 the growing population of Afghan cameleers built two mosques in Coolgardie and they had two mullahs. The first mosque in their Afghan camp at Fly Flat at the eastern end of Coolgardie, the largest centre in the goldfields, was financed by Faiz Mahomet. Tagh Mahomet, his brother, and Goulam Mahomet were joint owners of the mosque. The mullah of the first mosque was a Kandahar man, Hadji Mullah Merbain. Later its gardener was another Kandahar man, Goulam Rassoul. Steps led to the entrance of its galvanised iron structure and a trough provided water for ablutions. If there was no water in the ablution trough because of extremely hot weather the faithful washed themselves with sand.
In 1987 Faiz Mahomet brought out a priest Mullah Il Lasman who had sailed from Karachi to say prayers in front of 200 “Mohammedans” squatted on carpets and prayer mats. Above the faithful was “a flag bearing the star and crescent “. After the service Faiz Mahomet provided a feast for his visiting mullah and congregation
The second mosque was based in the “Beloochi camp”. Its mullah, Mullah Mirza Khan, could deliver services in four languages [three were Arabic, Parsee, Pushtun or Afghan]. In 1897 after his service a banquet was organised for the congregation by Sirdar Abdul Baki, related to Faiz Mahomet and both related to the Ameer of Afghanistan. No photos survive of either of the two mosques in Coolgardie. [Coolgardie Miner, WA, 8 March 1897, pg 6, “Mahommedan festival, Afghan rejoicings.”]
Between the 1890s to the 1910s the large and dispersed cameleer communities had built seven small mosques across the goldfields. In 1910 the Collector of Customs, based in Fremantle, Perth’s port town, recorded mosques built near mining settlements distributed throughout the goldfields which had Afghan camel depots or camps. These were in Coolgardie [two], Mount Malcom, Leonora, Mount Magnet, Bummers Creek and Mount Sir Samuel. The Perth mosque made the eighth mosque in Western Australia.
Perth: The cameleers’ first permanent mosque in Western Australia, and the second such one in Australia, was located in Perth. It was designed and built between 4 June 1904 and 1906. By the 1890s Faiz Mahomet operated many camel strings from his five offices across the goldfields and employed many Afghan cameleers. Faiz Mahomet played a key role in founding the first permanent mosque in Western Australia. He provided funds to purchase a piece of land for 680 pounds in William Street in the city of Perth. The building of the “Mohammedan mosque” was supervised by Muhamed Hassan Musa Khan, another jemidah and principal Afghan boss of the camel men of the Coolgardie goldfields, and created by the Kandaharian Mahomet Allum. Faiz Mahomet collected funds from the goldfields cameleers to finance the building of the mosque. The structure of a rectangular building included a second storey, gilt tipped mouldings and steps up to a verandah. It was surrounded by a high wall.
On 13 November, 1905, Faiz Mahomet, initiator and financier of at least four mosques, two being Australia’s first two permanent mosques, that served the far flung cameleers Muslim community which was far from their homelands, and highly respected by the head of state of Afghanistan, Emir of Afghanistan, laid the foundation stone. The Emir Habibullah Khan was appointed trustee of the Perth mosque. Later both the building and the high wall surrounding the mosque were painted white. The Perth mosque was heritage listed in 1995. It has a vibrant congregation today.
The Perth Mohammedan mosque pictured in the 1930s. Source: Pamela Rajkowski OAM
Perth mosque as it was painted in the 1970s. Source: ABC https://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2012/04/12/3476007.htm
New South Wales
Broken Hill: Broken Hill had a larger North Camel Camp and a smaller West Camel camp and a mosque in each. The mosque in the North Camel Camp in Broken Hill was erected between 1887 to 1891. It was near a running stream which provided the worshippers with water for their ablutions. The men washed their feet over a ground level cement trough then walked on stepping-stones into the mosque. The corrugated iron and wood structure with a pitched roof was divided into two rooms, an ante room used to prepare the dead for burial and a prayer room. Prayer mats covered the floor. The mirab, the niche where the mullah stood reciting the prayers, was suggested by a painted arch on the north-west wall. In 1967 this mosque was saved from demolition by the Broken Hill Historical Society and in 2010 was placed on the NSW Heritage register. In 2018 to 2020 NSW has a restoration project underway to restore the mosque and yard and arrange its memorabilia in an added museum.
The Broken Hill’s North Camel camp iron mosque with date palms.
The smaller, one roomed tin and wooden mosque located in Broken Hill’s West Camel Camp. Source: Pamela Rajkowski OAM
Bourke: Bourke was the base of Abdul Wade / Wadi’s large camel carting company and many Afghan cameleers worked on routes that radiated out of that own. A camel owner Bye Khan built a one roomed, wood and galvanised iron house near the back door of the old house of Norbeen Perooz in the ghan town in Bourke. Perooz ‘s group of camelmen used the mosque. It had a pitched roof and small verandah. In 1996 the Bourke mosque was relocated from Hope Street to the Afghan section of the cemetery, in the hope of preserving it. It has been saved and is today preserved as a tourist attraction.
Bourke mosque. Source: Pamela Rajkowski OAM
Queensland
In the ghan town in Cloncurry in south-west Queensland the cameleers built a mosque from wooden slats. Until the late 1940s many pack saddles were seen beside the mosque. The last deed holder was Otta Khan. This mosque was pulled down after 1947 and its fruit orchard dried up.
Northern Territory
Alice Springs: The cameleers were more scattered in Alice Springs but still built a simple mosque near the camp of Satour, a significant camel merchant. It was made from timber with a thatched roof and open sides. Date palms were planted near the mosque. As it disintegrated, funds were raised for local cameleers and Moslems to build a permanent structure which still stands today. It is the third permanent mosque funded by Afghan cameleers.
Modern Afghan mosques in Australia
Blacktown Afghan Osman Mosque, New South Wales: The Blacktown Mosque, built by the Afghan community in Western Sydney, finished construction in 2014. It has since been involved in community projects for troubled youths in the Blacktown area, alongside its regular religious services.
Afghan Islamic Centre & Omar Farooq Mosque, Doveton, Victoria: The already established Afghan Islamic Centre and Omar Farooq Mosque, is set to be relocated to a state-of-the-art facility in Doveton, Victoria. The new mosque, currently under construction, and is set to have large prayer, recreational, educational and conference facilities.
Photo source: Mosque Finder http://mosque-finder.com.au/mosque/blacktown-afghan-osman-mosque/
Conclusion
Today, Muslims play an integral part in Australia’s social, political and economic life. All major cities and regional hubs have notable Muslim communities from a wide range of national backgrounds, from Europe, Africa and Asia. Muslims are represented in both houses of Federal Parliament.
As of the 2016 Census, there are 46 800 Australians who reported as being born in Afghanistan. They are highly concentrated in the Ryde and Blacktown areas of Sydney, as well as Dandenong in Melbourne, where the second and third most spoken languages at home are Hazaraghi and Dari. Afghan Australians are active in political life, with Afghanistan-born Mina Zaki running in the division of Canberra in the 2019 Federal election for the Liberal Party. Afghanistan and Australia share a close relationship, with ever increasing economic and cultural ties.
Table: List of Mosques developed and owned by Australian-Afghans and their locations throughout Australia
|
Name |
Location |
Date of Construction |
|
Marree Mosque |
Marree, South Australia |
1884 |
|
Broken Hill Mosque |
Broken Hill, New South Wales |
1887 |
|
Central Adelaide Mosque |
Adelaide, South Australia |
1890 |
|
Coolgardie Mosque |
Coolgardie, Western Australia |
1892 |
|
Perth Mosque |
Perth, Western Australia |
1906 |
|
Afghan Mosque Alice Springs |
Alice Springs, Northern Territory |
1960s |
|
Blacktown Afghan Osman Mosque |
Blacktown, New South Wales |
2014 |
|
Afghan Islamic Centre & Omar Farooq Mosque |
Doveton, Victoria |
Under Construction, 2022 |
Disclaimer
This article was written and researched by historian and expert Pamela Rajkowski OAM, and added to by Ethan Vujanovic, an intern at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canberra. Material presented in this article is for the purpose of public awareness and learning and is only as accurate as the sources allow. The views and opinions expressed in this version are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Embassy of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canberra or the Government of Afghanistan.
References
Text and Research by Pamela Rajkowski OAM, 28-30 April 2020
Maley, William. 2019. “Australia-Afghanistan relations: Reflections on a half-century". Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
Cover Photo Credit: IMPACT 3D/infinity render through Kabeer Azadzoy, Melbourne
Australia and Afghanistan’s relations can be traced back as far as the 1860s when the Afghan Cameleers came to Australia. In the midst of its 160th anniversary, Ambassador Wahidullah Waissi called on the Honorable Ken Wyatt AM, Member of the Parliament and Minister for Indigenous Australians, at the Australian Parliament in Canberra. Both sides discussed Cameleer's history and contributions to construction of transportation and communication and exploration of the outback Australia.
The Honorable Minister Ken Wyatt, who is also one of the proud descendants of the Cameleers, appreciated Embassy's anniversary celebration. They also discussed joint activities as part of the 160th celebration year to keep Cameleer's legacy alive.
Ambassador Waissi presented an engraved crystal block honoring the 160th Anniversary logo to the Hon Minister as a token of appreciation to the work, life and legacy of the Cameleers in Australia.