Fatima Payman
Fatima Payman is first hijab-wearing woman in Australian Parliament
Canberra: Fatima Payman on Monday became the first Muslim woman wearing hijab in Australian Parliament.
According to ABC News, she claimed WA’s sixth Senate seat, which changed hands to Labor, as the election of the state’s six upper house positions that were up for grabs got finalised.
The 27-year-old became the third youngest Senator in history.
Payman said, "Before I'm an Afghan or a Muslim I'm an Australian Labor Senator, representing all Australians regardless of their faith, background, cultural identity or sexual orientation, age or ability.
"I'll be representing all, including our First Nations people as well."
ABC News quoted her as saying that her priorities included getting more people from diverse backgrounds involved in politics, improving early childhood education, and climate change."
She also expressed hope that her election would help normalise the idea of wearing a hijab.
She said, "Not only because Islamaphobia has been rife in the media, but I want young girls who do decide to wear the hijab to actually do it with pride, do it knowing that they've got all the right to be wearing it."
Payman came to Australia as an eight-year-old, having fled Afghanistan with her family, ABC News reported.
(With UNI inputs)
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