Fatima Bayman is the first veiled Muslim politician to join the Australian Senate in 2022, the third youngest parliamentarian in Australian history, and the third Muslim figure to reach prominent political positions in the country.

She was born in Afghanistan in 1995, then she and her family took refuge in Australia in 2003 after the Taliban persecuted them for their political activities, according to what she said in several press interviews.

I grew up in the northern suburbs of Perth, the capital of Western Australia.

She joined the Australian Labor Party, and stated that she aspired to amplify the voice of minorities in the country.

Birth and upbringing

Fatima Bayman was born in Afghanistan in 1995, and she left at the age of five after the Taliban pursued her family, as her grandfather was a member of Parliament that preceded the period of the movement's control of power in Afghanistan in 1996.

Her family went to Pakistan at the end of 1999, then her father left for Australia in search of work, and the family joined him in 2003, and settled in Perth, the capital of Western Australia.

Fatima's father - who is the eldest of his children (two daughters and two sons) - had the greatest influence on her political orientation, as he planted in her and her brothers awareness of the cause of their country of origin, Afghanistan.

He always urged them to live in the hope of returning to her and contributing to improving her conditions, but he died in 2018 after suffering from leukemia.

Study and scientific training

She studied at the Australian Islamic College (AIC) in Kewdale, Perth, Western Australia.

She was the head of student at her school for the year 2013, and she graduated in the same year, and she says that this experience earned her the leadership abilities that qualified her for political action.

On July 27, 2022, Fatima Bayman was commissioned to deliver a "response letter" to the speech of the Governor-General in the Senate Chamber (French)

Practical and political experience

Fatima's father worked in 3 professions, as a cook, driver and guard, and she lived with him the moments of fatigue and hardship that he and her mother (who worked as a driving teacher) experienced.

The death of her father further fueled her enthusiasm and political giving, as it strengthened her desire and determination to defend workers' rights and improve their living conditions, which led her to join the Australian Labor Party.

She started her career as a volunteer raising money for Penny Appeal Australia while in high school.

She then joined the Edmund Rice Center to help develop the skills of young community leaders in Australia, which focuses on supporting minorities and changing culture.

Since 2017, she has worked with Western Australian Police to help understand the barriers faced by culturally diverse communities.

She then won a seat in the Senate for Western Australia on 20 June 2022.

In her first address to the senators on July 26, 2022, she said, "I am the only hijabi among the 200 members. We hijabis are missing this representation to not only fight Islamophobia, but I also want young girls who decide to wear the hijab, to do so with pride, realizing that They have the right to wear it."

She also confirmed that she will work to encourage the inclusion of representatives from different cultures, religions and sects in the Australian Parliament, to develop early education, and to work on issues related to climate change.

On July 27, 2022, I was assigned to deliver a "response speech" to the Governor General's speech in the Senate Chamber, a speech that sets the agenda of the ruling government and prepares the official response from all deputies.

Functions and Responsibilities

Member of the Australian Islamic College Board of Directors.

Member of the Australian Senate in 2022.

Achievements

The Australian Islamic Aquatic Center opened on 2 July 2022.

The first veiled woman in Parliament.

The first Australian of Afghan descent to win a seat in the Senate on June 20, 2022.

The third youngest female MP in Australian history.

The third Muslim figure to reach prominent political positions in Australia, after the appointment of Muslim ministers "Edham Hosik" and "Ann Ali" in June 2022.