A FREEDOM Feast was held on 6 June at Cavanbah Hall to welcome former refugee and advocate Muzafar Ali from Cisaru Education and Ride for Education, as he pedals from Maleny in Queensland to Adelaide.
Muzafar is raising awareness and funds for refugee-led education.
Coffs Harbour was a key stop along the way, with visits to Orara High School, Coffs Harbour Public School and Argyl Estate, in addition to the Freedom Feast gathering.
The event was organised by local community services.
A former Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, Muzafar Ali is co-founder of the Cisarua Refugee Learning Centre and a respected advocate for refugees and human rights.
“In 2013, we found ourselves in an indefinite limbo in Indonesia,” he said. “Unable to work or study, there was no possibility of resettling.”
“We had a lot of skilled and educated people within our community, and we decided to do something for ourselves.
“Education was our first step… and we started the Cisarua Refugee Learning Centre (CRLC) – the first refugee-led school in Indonesia.”
The Freedom Feast was held during Refugee Week and was a spectacular evening of food, story, music and dancing, with over 200 people in attendance.
Local Kurdish musician and former refugee Ali Shakaki, and percussionist Greg Sheehan performed, as large numbers of people danced.
“The room was so full of love and energy, and people with backgrounds from all around the world,” co-founder of Cisaru Education Joylon Hoff said.
“I couldn’t believe this was Coffs Harbour and thought, as the communities and families grow, of the rich and vibrant city they will help create.”
A small excerpt of “The Staging Post” created by Jolyon Hoff alongside Muzafar Ali was also screened to share the work of Cisaru Education and to provide a background for Muzafar’s journey.
Ride for Education is stopping at over 30 destinations on the way to Adelaide to connect with communities who support Cisaru Learning and to raise much needed funds for education in Indonesia, Thailand and Afghanistan. To find out more visit rideforeducation.com.
By Andrea FRRARI
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