Named Cumberland’s Local Citizen of the Year earlier this year, he felt proud knowing he had the honour of achieving such an award.
“Not only there is a sense of joy but comfort knowing that all the hard paid off,” he said.
The founder and president of the Australian Afghan Hassanian Youth Association (AAHYA) says that along with many other organisations with the same aim, they try to assist migrant refugees who face multiple barriers upon arrival to transition into the Australian way of life and culture.
While describing his own journey to Australia as a refugee in 1999 who spoke no English as “a difficult road”, he said that faced with a civil war and poor economy in his home country, he had ”little to no choice”.
“I came to find a better life and Australia has been nothing but peaceful, giving and understanding,” he said.
Mr Karimi said this year’s Harmony Week theme, ‘Everyone Belongs’, illustrates “a togetherness feeling for everyone”.
“It means such days should be considered to be inclusive and removes conflicts from people of different backgrounds,” he said.
“We have come so far and it will be a waste if we don’t work together to achieve, if not one, but multiple goals in life.”
