TRANSCRIPT
At the age of 17, Zainab Razay has achieved a milestone that has even surprised herself.
Not only is she the first person in her family to attend university - she has attained an exceptionally high ATAR of 99.45.
That has put her on the path of achieving her dream of becoming a doctor.
"I remember that morning (14 Dec). I wasn't able to look at the results myself. I asked my sister, my sister in year 12 - I asked her to look at it before me. I didn't know from her reaction whether I had done well or not. She was like: Zainab, Zainab, Zainab. And I am like: What - is that a good thing or a bad thing? I was very surprised (at the ATAR score). The best bit about that day - it came out December 14 - the best bit was telling my parents."
Born in Australia to Hazara parents, Zainab says she was raised in a house where education was encouraged not enforced, although it didn't take her long to understand the value of it herself.
Her father, Mohammed Ibrahim Razay, made the dangerous boat journey to Australia in 1999 fleeing the brutality of the Taliban - and fearing the fate of the Hazara people, who have long-faced persecution in Afghanistan.
Zainab says that sacrifice is something she will never forget.
"I remember when he kind of told me the story of how he got here. That did serve as a motivation because both my mum and my dad, they gave up so much for me to be here. I'm grateful for them. So for myself I work hard - but for them as well, to make them happy."
Her success took centre stage at this year's Hazara Awards Night where she was celebrated alongside other high achievers in the community.
Federal MP for Parramatta, Andrew Charlton says it is a major milestone.
"Seeing the progress of the Hazara community really warms my heart. And it is a delight to be part of an event like tonight. Well, it makes me feel on the one hand very happy, very positive that these young women are doing so well in heir lives. But it also makes me think of the many young women still in Afghanistan who are not able to have the same choices and the same opportunities. To be honest, that fills me with great dread."
For Zainab's father, Mohammed Ibrahim Razay, seeing his daughter excel is bittersweet.
"She's worked so hard. I really can't put into words how happy I am.// It pains me to see that girls like Zainab can't study in Afghanistan. These opportunities are available in this country so why shouldn't they study hard?"
Recent graduate Hamayoun Hatif is one of the co-organisers of the event.
He says community recognition can serve as huge motivation for recipients and future graduates.
"To be honest, every year we have a bigger and bigger turnout. More people are drawn to this sort of event because not only do they want to support the youth, but they also want to give them a sense that they're there for them; and witness in them what they themselves - being in Afghanistan - didn't have."
The event was also an opportunity for the community to strengthen their cultural pride and identity.
These year 12 students say it is inspiring to see a pathway they can follow.
Male voxie: "I think it is really good because I'm a year 12 student myself, so seeing more and more people on stage really encourages me to do better."
Female voxie: "It gives me a great opportunity to socialise with people I've never met and people who have jobs that I want to be in in the future. It gives an overall sense of inspiration."
