On Australia Day this year, 28 people from 16 different countries were presented with Australian Citizenship at a formal ceremony in Armidale.
Armidale is renowned for its successful multicultural community, with many people from oversees drawn to The University of New England (UNE).
This year amongst the citizens to receive the honour, were Deeman and Sarbast Qasim and their two children. The couple from Iraq arrived in Armidale eight years ago and have no plan to leave any time soon.
With the goal to finish his PhD, Sarbast decided to study at UNE and now he works there as a staff member.
His wife Deeman arrived in Australia, unable to speak English, but now, years later works at various government agencies as a translator.
The couple are part of the Ezidi, (commonly known as Yazidi) community which is a minority group from Northern Iraq. They hold strong values in family, food and the sun, which features on their flag.
Years later, following the couple’s arrival, hundred of Ezidi refugees also arrived in Armidale. The country town was chosen as one of four regional areas for refugee settlement for people affected by the violence of ISIS in their communities.
Mr Qasim and his wife have been fundamental in welcoming, settling and supporting many Ezidi refugee families.
Armidale community and co-staff member of UNE, Kate Blackmore, says “Sarbast has done an enormous load of service to the Ezidi community that is mostly unknown.”
“Like an ice berg, what we see Sarbast doing is probably about one tenth of what he does to help the Ezidi’s.”
Members of the Ezidi community have publicly congratulated the family on their citizenship.
Photo: Armidale Regional Council
