I was born in the rugged, mountainous landscapes of Malestan, a rural district in Ghazni, Afghanistan. It was a place where the breathtaking beauty of the surroundings starkly contrasted with the harsh realities faced by the Hazara people. From an early age, I understood what it meant to be different—what it meant to be Hazara. To be treated differently, discriminated against, and persecuted. As a young boy, I witnessed the growing threats and violence that would eventually force my family and many others to leave their homes.
When the dangers became too great, I embarked on a journey marked by fear and uncertainty. I fled my home in Malestan, only to spend years in limbo, including a difficult period in detention in Indonesia. It was a time when hope felt distant, but the will to survive and the dream of a better life never left me.
Then, Australia opened its arms, embracing me like a mother. My life began to change. Here, I found not only safety but also the opportunity to rebuild. Embracing this chance, I pursued a bachelor’s degree in communication, focusing on media art production and public communication in advertising at the University of Technology Sydney. In this new environment, I discovered the power of storytelling—both through writing and photography.
With a keen eye for detail and a heart full of experiences, I found that writing helped me express the emotions and thoughts that had built up over years of struggle. Photography became another lens through which I could capture the world, freezing moments of beauty, sadness, and hope. Whether crafting stories with words or through the frame of a camera, my creativity blossomed, giving me the tools to share not only my journey but the stories of others who, like me, had faced unimaginable hardships.
Now, in a land far from where my story began, I am creating a new chapter—one filled with expression, resilience, and the belief that through art and communication, even the deepest struggles can be transformed into something meaningful and powerful.
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