Tuesday, 11 February, 2025
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On the opposite side, Barat Batoor with supporters of changing the Thomas Street precinct’s name to Little Bamyan. (455477) Traders and community leaders gather in support of retaining the Afghan Bazaar name - and in opposition to a Hazara community petition for change. (Stewart Chambers: 457781).
Name blame game A proposal to rename a Dandenong shopping strip has ignited furious backlash, including an online-petition bidding war and a boycott threat. In the past week, nine Afghan community groups have urged Greater Dandenong Council to reject the Hazara community’s “divisive” idea to rename Afghan Bazaar to Little Bamyan. As of early Monday, more than 3200 signed an online petition to retain the Afghan Bazaar name. Meanwhile another online petition collected more than 2900 supporters of Little Bamyan. It’s believed that the petition was set to be present-
ed to a Greater Dandenong Council meeting on Monday 10 February. The proponent Barat Batoor – backed by several traders in the Thomas Street precinct - had told Star Journal last week that the Bamyan name was “inclusive” and represented the contribution of the Hazara community. However, a “disappointed” Gulghotai Bezhan, who founded Afghan Australian Women Association, says Afghan Bazaar represented the “entire Afghan community”. “Bamyan is a little province, but Afghan is rep-
resentative of all ethnicities. Imagine if an Australian says they’re not from Australia but from Geelong.” Afghan community leader Rokhan Akbar and community activist Khalid Amiri say the Bamyan petition will instead damage social cohesion. “City of Greater Dandenong is well known for its multiculturalism, advocacy for social cohesion, assimilation, integration for opportunities and inclusivity,” Mr Akbar said. “To change the name (of Afghan Bazaar), it would do the opposite.“
Mr Amiri said a boycott of the shopping strip was being considered in response to the Bamyan push. Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti says the council is in a tough position where it must remain impartial. “I love all the traders on Thomas Street - it’s a great place to shop, eat, spend time. It’s something we really have to tread very lightly and respectfully.” For more on the story, turn to page 3
ANOTHER AAU PLAYER WITH A GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY - MANGOK LOK - SIGNS WITH CRESTWOOD PREP ONTARIO NORTH POLE BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION. WHERE CAN YOUR SPORT TAKE YOU?
RED ROO SPORTS Miracle story inside 12747796-MS06-25