When UNE Law student, Ishan Jarallah, was a young girl, she was forced to flee the only home she had ever known.
Sadly, her home city, Shingal, in Iraq, was attacked by extremist Islamic group ISIS in 2014.
Ishan notes, "during this brutal attack, thousands of people from the Ezidi community were kidnapped and killed by ISIS militants. Those who managed to escape did so by seeking refuge on the mountains near Shingal. For days on end, we endured freezing nights and scorching days, lacking food, proper clothing, water, and even shoes. Survival became our utmost concern, and as a result, people, particularly younger people, started fleeing across borders in search of safety for themselves and their families."
Survival became our utmost concern, and as a result, people, particularly younger people, started fleeing across borders in search of safety for themselves and their families.
Sadly, many Ezidis who managed to escape from ISIS did not make the journey to a refugee camp alive.
"As we were escaping, many people died of dehydration and starvation. Unfortunately, we were unable to stop and bury the dead. People were left on the side of the road until their families could go back and bury them at a later date," says Ishan.
Unfortunately, we were unable to stop and bury the dead. People were left on the side of the road until their families could go back and bury them at a later date.
After a time, Ishan and her family were helped by the United Nations to relocate to Australia. When she arrived in Australia, Ishan was provided with intensive English training until she was able to go into mainstream classes at Armidale Secondary College. Given that Ishan was unable to attend school for five years whilst living in a refugee camp, completing school was an impressive and considerable achievement.
Ishan became sports captain at Armidale Secondary College and an avid footballer - image: D.T.L Photography.
Reflecting on her early experiences, Ishan notes, "when ISIS captured members of my community, the men and women were immediately separated. Young women were kept and used as sex slaves, whilst many of the older women were killed. Luckily, when my grandmother was captured by ISIS, she managed to escape. Thousands of Ezidi women were raped by members of Isis. Most of these women escaped and they have continued on with their lives. They are now educated and are helping look after their families. They did not give up. They are strong!"
They are now educated and are helping look after their families. They did not give up. They are strong!
Ishan with her parents.
It's clear that this strength partly comes from the way members of the Ezidi community look after each other. For example, in the coming weeks a young Ezidi woman is coming to live with Ishan's family. "She has no family, they were all killed in the war. So our family are going to open our home to her."
Ishan is thrilled to be studying law and describes the day she got accepted into her LLB (Bachelor of Laws) as the "best day of her life so far."
"I want to work with an organisation such as the United Nations, so I can assist other refugees. I want to rescue people from injustice and help reform the legal system in Iraq. In particular, I want to promote rights for women so they have more career opportunities."
I want to rescue people from injustice and help reform the legal system in Iraq. In particular, I want to promote rights for women so they have more career opportunities
Ishan is well on her way to fulfilling this dream as she has just started a paralegal job with Legal Minds in Armidale. She is living life to the fullest, and embracing all the opportunities she has available to her.
Ishan truly is an inspiration.
