Muzafar Ali comes to Lawson

Around 50 excited supporters cheered Muzafar Ali as he cycled into the Mechanics Institute in Lawson last night after riding up from Bronte Beach. Muzafar, an Afghan-Australian and former refugee, is on a 4000 kilometre ride from Maleny, north of Brisbane, to Adelaide to raise funds for two big projects: the schools for refugee children he helped establish in Cisarua in Indonesia, and the ongoing support for girls’ education in Afghanistan. Muzafar hardly had time to catch his breath before being asked to speak. He gave a passionate and eloquent speech on the plight of Afghanistan, highlighting the hypocrisy of the West which long knew about the Taliban’s appalling treatment of Afghanis, women in particular, but did nothing until 9/11. For Afghanistan to have a future, he said, nothing will change if men are expected to make the change. It is the country’s women who stand up to the Taliban, not its men. Educating girls so they can in turn educate their daughters and granddaughters is the only hope, and the driving force behind his journey. Not surprisingly, he received a standing ovation.

Everyone then enjoyed a delicious smorgasbord of soups, curries and cakes provided by BMRSG volunteers, while being entertained by a delightful band playing Irish and folk tunes.

In speaking with Muzafar about his trip so far, he talked about the joy of community. He was grateful for the warmth with which he was received wherever he went and to meet again many of those who had supported him in the past, including members of BMRSG. He was looking forward to renewing more of these connections in the weeks to come, as well as making new ones. When asked about missing his family, he smiled and said each day brought him nearer to them in Adelaide. When he is not riding a bike around south-east Australia raising money for those who have so little, Muzafar works on these two projects, acts as a translator, speaks at schools and other organisations, and supports his wife and two daughters.

The evening finished with more music and lots of dancing, a joyful tribute to a fine man who is making a huge difference.

Last night’s event raised over $3,300 but there’s still a way to go to reach the target Muzafar has set for his ride. More information on the rest of the ride, the projects which are the reason for the ride and, most importantly, how to make a donation can be found at https://rideforeducation.com/