In September 2016, after two years separated from her husband and an exhaustive community campaign, Iranian asylum seeker Mojgan Shamsalipoor was finally released from immigration detention into the loving arms of her family and friends in Brisbane.
It was a rare moment of pure joy for the 23-year-old, who fled her home half a decade ago after being raped and beaten by her violent stepfather and offered as a bride to a man in his late 50s.
When Mojgan first arrived in Australia in 2012, she was allowed to live in the community while the Government considered her request for ongoing protection.
It's now been six months since Mojgan was unexpectedly released back into the community, but she is still far from 'free'.
As her lawyer Kevin Kadirgamar, though elated, told the ABC at the time, the three-month bridging visa she was granted cast "a shadow of uncertainty over her future" -- one which has not lifted, despite now being on her second visa.
"It's not the end of the journey because she's still not free; she's living in our community but it's on borrowed time," Deputy principal of Yeronga State High School and champion of her case, Jessica Walker, told Australian Story.
"The unknown is not a nice thing to live with."
Mojgan & Milad on Valentines Day - this beautiful couple are going from strength to strength! We look forward to the day they can live together in true freedom as Australian Citizens.
Posted by Free Mojgan on Friday, 17 February 2017
For their part, Mojgan — who says she wants to be a midwife — and Milad are trying to make the best of things, while still dreaming of a life together as permanent residents in Australia.
"Sometimes I've forgotten where I am and what has happened to me, but when it comes back to me, I close my eyes for a second and I say, 'Hopefully it's not a dream'," she told Australian Story.
You can watch the full episode of Australian Story on ABC iview and find updates on Mojgan's story via the Free Mojgan Facebook page.
Top Comments
Something that hasn't been made mention of, but I'm pretty sure I saw some brief reference somewhere that these two are Bahai, whether they converted or original Bahai not sure, but I have known many Bahai's (Iranian religion) and they were at one stage persecuted by the Muslims around the time of the Iranian revolution.
Not sure if they still are, but they are a religion that believes in peace and equality, from my experience with Bahai's wasn't just hype they were very committed to pacifism and indeed part of their faith was that they aren't allowed to try and convert others. I am personally very, very cynical about religion, but even I was quite impressed by the Bahais I met. Something they believed in was that people shouldn't 'backbite' their word for bitching or talking behind people's backs, because they believed that wars start from people talking nastily about others. They have a point because governments can hardly motivate people to war against people they like.
I spent a considerable amount of time with a number of Bahais and I found they really put this being nice about people into practice, they tried very hard not to say anything nasty about others and only see the good in people.
Sometimes I found it a bit 'pollyana' and impossible to do myself, but I did admire their effort in trying to just be nice kind human beings who were happy to tell you about their philosophy but not try to convert you. Having said that, they are human beings and certainly they varied, but they impressed me as being genuinely committed to pacifism and equality.
So whilst I have some concerns about some refugees I would think these two would be good candidates for being able to integrate and do good for Australian society.