Australian Muslim MP Fatima Byman delivered her first speech to members of the Senate on Tuesday 26 July 2022, becoming the first woman to wear a veil in Parliament, while social media activists commented on the speech and called her “powerful and influential”.
Opening her speech on her veiled appearance in Parliament, Byman stressed that it was a testament to Australia’s “real diversity”, noting the need to welcome such an appearance and participation, and hoped it would inspire others on her journey. Byman also asked, “100 years ago, would this parliament have accepted the election of a veiled woman?”, indicating that she would reveal more about it in a speech next September. Bayman responded to those who gave her advice on her veil and appearance, warning her of the impact it would have on her election race, saying, “My veil is optional.”
In her speech, Beiman urged Muslim girls to be proud of their hijabs: “I want young girls who decide to wear the hijab to do so with pride, knowing that they have the right to wear it.”
Peiman broke down in tears as she spoke of her late father, an Afghan refugee who immigrated to Australia nearly two decades ago: “I wish he was here to see where his little daughter is?”
Peyman also praised her father’s sacrifices for her as he worked as a security guard and taxi driver; “To secure a future for his family that he could not secure for himself,” she continued, “who would have thought that a young woman, born in Afghanistan and the daughter of a refugee, would appear before this council today?!”
Rep. Byman attached a photo of her via her Facebook account during her speech as well as a photo of her family who were in the Senate for the speech and expressed her happiness and gratitude to her family who were present to support her and wrote in her message: “This morning I gave my first speech in the Senate … and I proudly emphasized the priorities of this government.
Notably, Peyman (age 27) is the youngest female member of the Australian Parliament and the first Afghan-Australian to be elected to the position; On June 20, an Afghan Muslim refugee won a seat in the Senate from the Labor Party of Western Australia.
After her victory, the media ravely celebrated the victory of the veiled Afghan refugee Fatima Baiman in office, coinciding with World Refugee Day each year.
Labor MP Andrew Lee said: “Today is World Refugee Day and I am delighted to announce that Fatima Peyman, who came to Australia as a refugee from Afghanistan, has become the new Labor Senator. Congratulations, Fatima.”
While the Afghan embassy in Australia celebrated Bayman’s victory; She wrote: “On World Refugee Day, we are delighted to learn that Ms Fatima Peyman, an Afghan refugee and Australian citizen, has made her way into the Australian upper house.” Notably, on June 1, Australia saw a similar celebration of the accession of the first two Muslim ministers, Edham Hosik and Anna Ali, to ministerial posts in the new Australian federal government led by new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
