From Afghan Refugee to First Muslim Hijabi Senator in Western Australia
Fatima Payman tells AMT about her historic win, her political goals, and her family.
By: Hedija Spahalic
Fatima Payman secured the sixth seat in the Western Australian Senate last month and hopes to represent the Labor Party in a way that makes her late father proud.
Payman’s father passed away in 2018 after a long-fought battle with Leukemia. He worked as an organizer for the United Workers’ Union. Instilling the belief that representation matters, Payman recalls him being a fan of the Labor party as she was growing up. Her family played a heavy role in influencing and encouraging her political involvement.
The 27-year-old is the first Afghan refugee and the first hijabi in the Australian Senate. Payman believes that this representation is long overdue and people should respect others.
“I want people to have the freedom to dress as they choose to without the fear of criticism or judgment,” Payman said. “Just like how I don’t judge someone wearing boardies and a tank top, I expect the same treatment when I enter a room and am the only one wearing the hijab. Time to normalize this piece of garment. It’s my choice so respect it.”
Although Payman is the first hijabi senator, she is not the first Muslim in the Australian government. She follows Mehreen Faruqi, another Muslim woman in the Senate. She also joins other Muslim Australian government officials such as Anne Aly, the Minister for Early Childhood Education and Minister for Youth, and Ed Husic, the Minister for Industry and Science, who both made history as the first Muslims given cabinet appointments.
One thing that all of these Muslim government officials have in common outside of their faith is their shared mission of inspiring more inclusivity and diversity.
Payman’s term began July 1. Swearing in with a Quran in hand, she believes she is ready to take on the job.
Payman shares her story with AMT:
American Muslim Today: What made you want to get involved in politics? Was this always the goal?
Sen. Fatima Payman: Politics was always a dinner table discussion in my family. Dad was passionate about restoring peace, equality and hope in Afghanistan and would dream loudly of the day his daughter runs for Parliament in Afghanistan — because an opportunity in Australia was near impossible or at least that’s what Dad thought at the time. After Dad’s passing from Leukaemia, I began to reflect and appreciate his struggles as an immigrant with English as his second language, copping and tolerating abuse, being underpaid, and overworked. He had to make ends meet, put food on the table, establish a roof over his family and ensure his children received the best education in a safe and peaceful country we began to recognize as home… If you want to create change, it has to happen from within, that’s why I put my hand up to be the voice of all West Australians.
AMT: What do you hope to achieve during your tenure in office?
Sen. Payman: Aside from contributing to the fight against Islamophobia and racism, I aspire to increase the engagement and empowerment of women, youth and culturally and linguistically diverse people in politics; and be able to fight for workers’ rights to have better pay and better conditions in industries that are mostly feminized with a high density of migrants; be part of the action to tackle climate change for a sustainable future.
AMT: Why did you run under the Labor party?
Sen. Payman: Growing up my Dad would always praise the Labor Party for caring about the well-being of those in our society that have it tough, the working class people, those who need that extra assistance to make ends meet. A party that believes in providing everyone with an opportunity to prosper, regardless of how rough or comfortable your past was. A party that believes in fairness, integrity, equal representation and economic stability. As a pro-Labor household, voting at elections was easy and obvious.
AMT: How do you factor your faith into your work?
Sen. Payman: We are not born into this world with a life manual, that’s where faith gives us the tools to navigate and establish our moral compass. Islam is a faith that promotes peace, moderation, and harmony within oneself and with others. I hope to continue using my faith as a source of tranquility, where the prescribed five daily prayers will allow me to detach from the stresses of the world, reflect and contemplate my purpose while being grateful for my blessings. Modern-day science emphasizes the importance of meditation, Islam prescribed it 1400 years ago.
AMT: Do you have any memories that stand out from your campaign?
Sen. Payman: When my social media page was launched, I was very nervous about how people would react and comment on my content. To my surprise, the occasional negative comment or criticism that would pop up, there was a handful of good Samaritans who would defend me. Some people would even send personal emails sharing how my campaign has impacted their lives — from a girl feeling more confident wearing the hijab to a man commending me for having the courage and inspiring many generations to come.
