Petition for SBS Hazaragi Language Service for the Hazara Community in Australia
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Petition for SBS Hazaragi Language Service for the Hazara Community in Australia
Conducted by Federation of Hazara Council of Australia
Introduction: We, the undersigned members and supporters of the Hazara community in Australia, respectfully petition the Federation of Hazara Council of Australia to take a leading role in advocating for the establishment of a dedicated Hazaragi language service on SBS. This initiative aims to address the critical need for accurate and culturally relevant media representation for the Hazara community, a significant and growing demographic within Australia's multicultural landscape.
Background: The Hazara community enriches Australia's multicultural fabric, with over 65,000 individuals identifying as Hazara according to the 2021 census, and unofficial estimates indicating numbers surpassing 100,000. Despite our substantial presence and contributions to Australian society, the Hazara community remains significantly underrepresented in mainstream media platforms, which limits our ability to share our rich cultural heritage, language, and narratives with the broader Australian public.
Cultural Significance of Hazaragi: Hazaragi is a distinct dialect of Dari, one of Afghanistan's official languages, predominantly spoken by the Hazara people. It is characterized by a unique amalgamation of Dari grammar and vocabulary, enriched by Turkic and Mongolic loanwords, and distinguished by its phonological features. This linguistic diversity reflects the profound cultural and historical experiences of the Hazara community, emphasizing the imperative of preserving and promoting Hazaragi as an integral facet of our cultural identity.
The rationale for the Petition:
Cultural Preservation and Promotion: A dedicated Hazaragi language service on SBS is indispensable for safeguarding and promoting our cultural heritage among future generations of Hazara Australians. It serves as a vital platform for celebrating our traditions, values, folklore, and historical narratives, fostering a sense of pride, identity, and belonging within our community.
Educational and Informative Value: Beyond meeting the linguistic needs of Hazara Australians, a Hazaragi language service on SBS would serve as a valuable educational resource for all Australians interested in learning about our language, culture, and contributions to Australian society. It facilitates cross-cultural understanding, promotes cultural diversity, and enhances social cohesion within Australian society.
Community Empowerment and Representation: Media representation plays a pivotal role in shaping perceptions, narratives, and social attitudes. By providing a dedicated platform for Hazaragi-language programming, SBS can amplify the voices, stories, and concerns of the Hazara community. This not only enhances our visibility and influence within Australian media but also promotes greater understanding, respect, and inclusivity within the broader Australian community.
Organiser Endorsement: We are honored to have the Federation of Hazara Council of Australia as the organizing body of this petition. Their steadfast leadership, dedication to community advocacy, and commitment to advancing the cultural rights and representation of the Hazara community in Australia are exemplary. Their endorsement of this petition underscores the significance of this initiative in advancing cultural equity, diversity, and recognition within Australian society.
Additional consideration
• Ensure the accuracy of statistics: The Census 2021 reports 42,000 Hazaras with a Hazaragi language background; providing reliable references to support this claim is crucial.
• Address SBS’s potential argument that Hazaragi is mutually intelligible with Dari, and thus a separate language service might not be necessary.
• Highlight the historical discrimination against the Hazaragi language and its lack of official recognition in Afghanistan to underscore the importance of this petition.
• Mention semi-official statistics estimating that over 12 million people worldwide speak Hazaragi, emphasizing the global significance of the language.
Conclusion: In conclusion, we urge the Federation of Hazara Council of Australia to lead and advocate for our petition for the establishment of an SBS Hazaragi language service. This initiative transcends mere media representation; it is about promoting cultural diversity, fostering intercultural dialogue, and nurturing mutual understanding across Australia. By organizing and endorsing this endeavor, the Federation will play a pivotal role in fostering a more inclusive, culturally enriched, and socially cohesive media landscape that reflects the diverse tapestry of Australian society. Endorsed by the Federation of Hazara Council of Australia Committee
Federation of Hazara Council of Australia Contact the author of the petition