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Sink or swim: finding asylum in Australia

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Mina reading Human from Another Outlook

Mina Abdolmaleki manages the books at a tyre shop in Melbourne, a far cry from her former life back in Iran. The normal everyday work is a comfort for her after a treacherous journey fleeing her home - the only option for someone whose beliefs go against the laws of her country.

Mina practises Erfan Halgheh, or Interuniversalism, a spiritual school of thought that promotes mental and physical wellness. Founded about forty years ago in Iran, Erfan Halgheh was initially not illegal, but as the number of followers grew- at its peak over two million Iranians - the Iranian government banned it and jailed the founder of Erfan Halgheh, Mohammad Ali Taheri*.

When Mina's teacher was also jailed, she fled in fear she would be next and arrived in Australia as an asylum seeker.

But the promise of asylum in Australia gave way to a flawed reality. Despite now having the freedom to think and act freely, her faith is still the greatest comfort, as she waits for the outcome of her immigration application and her future to be decided.

Mina would like to thank those who've welcomed her into Australia - Jenni and Chris, her first friends in Melbourne, and Ian Craig and Jo French, whom she now considers to be her Australian family

*Correction: Mohammad Ali Taheri is a self-taught environmental engineer and holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Traditional Medicine in Armenia.

Mina Abdolmaleki reading Human from Another Outlook Mina and Mojgan after Interuniversalism class

Guests

Mojgan Mosadegh - Interuniversalism teacher and follower

Marjan Mosadegh - Interuniversalism teacher and follower

Onsy Ibrahim- Manager at Century Premium Tyres

Jill Jameson - Volunteer at Foundation House, the Victorian Foundation for survivors of torture

Credits

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