Australia Day 2024: Yazidi family in Toowoomba become Australian citizens after 10 year journey escaping genocide

Omer Hasam couldn’t believe his luck when he settled in Australia many years ago, having escaped persecution and genocide. Now he and his children are officially Australians.

After fleeing the most horrific of circumstances in Iraq, Australia is the place Omer Hasam wants both he and his children to call home.

“I live here and I’m very happy — it’s a good country, and there are good people here,” he said.

The Yazidi man, whose family escaped genocide and enslavement at the hands of Islamic State nearly 10 years ago, is now an Australian citizen alongside his children Hind, Dilman, Haneya and Karam after a ceremony at City Hall on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Hasam, a farmer and shop owner in his country of origin, arrived in Australian in 2018 as part of a large intake of Yazidi people from northern Iraq and Syria.

Set to become Australian citizens are (from left) Hind Krtan, Dilman Krtan, Omer Hasam, Haneya Krtan and Karam Krtan, Tuesday, January 23, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Yazidism is an ancient and often misunderstood monotheistic culture with communities all across the world.

Their religion predates both Christianity and Islam and their cultural practices and knowledge are passed down from elders to children by word of mouth rather than sacred texts.

Toowoomba has now become easily one of the largest settlements of Yazidi people in Australia, with their numbers estimated at more than 4000.

Mr Hasam worked hard at his English at TAFE, before getting work on farms in Gatton and finally in the disability sector.

“I went to TAFE to learn English (for) about seven months, and when I started work I couldn’t learn English any more,” he said.

“It’s a difficult language – I speak Kurdish-Kurmanji, Arabic and English now.

“Two years ago I worked in Gatton picking vegetables — I worked there for about three months, but there was not much work.

“Now I am working as a support worker, and have for two years.”

Omer Hasam will become an Australian citizen, Tuesday, January 23, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Now officially an Australian, Mr Hasam said he was excited for his family to continue being part of the Toowoomba community.

“It’s a safe place to live for my family – it’s better for my (children),” he said.

“I just want to build up and be part of the community.”

More than 100 people became Australians at Thursday’s citizenship ceremony, from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, Ireland, Nigeria, Hong Kong, the United States, Myanmar, Vietnam, Brazil and Sri Lanka.